immersionlog
Sign inCreate account

〜が分かる

understand

Thing + が + 分かる

Sign up free to review this point on a spaced schedule.

分かる means "understand" or "be clear", and like 好き it puts the thing understood before が: 日本語が分かります, "I understand Japanese". The person who understands is the topic: 私は少し日本語が分かります.

It's also the everyday "got it": 分かりました, "understood, will do". To say you don't know or can't tell, 分かりません is the polite and humble answer.

Don't swap it with 知る, "come to know a fact". 知っています is "I know (that fact)"; 分かります is "I understand (it, what you said)". For "I don't know" to a question you have no information about, 分かりません is the safer choice for a beginner.

Examples

  • 私わたしは少すこし日本語にほんごが分わかります。

    I understand a little Japanese.

  • この漢字かんじの意味いみが分わかりません。

    I don't understand what this kanji means.

  • はい、分わかりました。

    Yes, understood.

  • 答こたえが分わかった人ひとは手てを上あげてください。

    If you know the answer, raise your hand.

  • すみません、道みちが分わからないんですが。

    Excuse me, I'm lost.

Related