understand
verb
uk/ˌʌn.dəˈstænd/us/ˌʌn.dɚˈstænd/understood|understoodunderstandverb(KNOW)
A1[IorT]
toknowthemeaningof something that someone says:
理解;明白;懂得Sheexplainedthewholeideaagain, but I still didn't understand.她把整个想法又解释了一遍,但我还是不明白。
Is there anyone here who understandsArabic?这儿有人懂阿拉伯语吗?
Ithinkhe wascallingfrom aclub- it was sonoisy, I couldn't understand a word he said.我想他是在一个夜总会里打的电话——那头太吵了,他说的话我一个字也没听清。
A2[IorT]
toknowwhy or how somethinghappensorworks:
弄懂,搞明白[+ question word]We still don'tfullyunderstand how thebrainworks.我们还未完全弄懂大脑是如何工作的。
to understand something
- understandI understand why he did that.
- comprehendHe doesn't seem to comprehend the scale of the problem.
- get the pictureOK. Don't say any more. I get the picture.
- followIt was so complicated I couldn't follow what he was saying.
- graspI think I grasped the main points of the lecture.
- digestThis chapter is so difficult to digest. I'll have to read it again later.
B1[IorT]
toknowhow someonefeelsor why someonebehavesin aparticularway:
理解;体谅Mywifedoesn't understand me.我太太不理解我。
Sometimes I don't understand James.有时候我搞不懂詹姆斯。
[+ question word]You don't understandwhat it's like/howitfeelsto have tobegon thestreets.你不了解出于无奈才上街乞讨是什么样子/是什么样的感觉。
understandsomeoneto meansomething
tothink,especiallywrongly, that someonemeansaparticularthing:
(尤指错误地)把(某人)的意思理解为…When he said three o'clock, I understood him tomeanin theafternoon.他说3点钟时,我误解为是下午。
understand each other/one another
When twopeopleunderstand one another, they bothknowwhat the othermeansandwantsand they have anagreement:
彼此理解Iwantedto makesurethat wewantthe same things, that we really understand each other.我想确保我们的目标一致并相互理解对方。
- Heexplainedit assimplyas he could, but theclassstill didn't understand.
- Theplotof thefilmwas tooinvolved- I couldn't understand it.
- Shestartedgabblingaway at me inSpanishand I didn't understand a word.
- If there's anything you don't understand, I'll behappytoexplain.
- You should makecertainthat everyone understands theinstructions.
Understanding and comprehending
- apprehend
- apprehensible
- apprehension
- astutely
- atyourfingertipsidiom
- connection
- figure
- hold
- keenness
- keepsomeoneup
- know a hawk from a handsawidiom
- know the scoreidiom
- know/see wheresomeoneis coming fromidiom
- scale
- uncomprehending
- uncomprehendingly
- understanding
- voice recognition
- wake up tosomething
- wisdom
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Sympathy & compassion
Empathy and sensitivity
understandverb(REALIZE)
C1[T]formal
toknoworrealizesomething because you have been told it:
得知,获悉,听说[+ (that)]I understand(that)you areinterestedinborrowingsomemoneyfrom us.我听说你想从我们这里借些钱。
[+ that]The Director hadgivenhertounderstand(= told her)thatshe would bepromoted.主任跟她说她将会得到提拔。
[+ obj + to infinitive]Asecretbuyeris understoodtohavepaid$1 million for the threepictures(= there isunofficialnewsthat this hashappened).据说,有一位不愿透露姓名的买家花了100万美元买走了那3幅画。
[IorT]formal
used when makingcertainthat someoneknowswhat youmeanand will do as youwant:
(用于询问他人是否明白自己所表达的意思并按要求去做)明白I don'twantyou toseethatboyagain. Understand?/Do you understand?/Is that understood?我不想让你再和那个男孩见面,明白吗?
it is understoodformal
used to refer to something such as arulethat everyoneknowsandaccepts:
众所周知In thelibraryit is understoodthatpeopleshouldtalkquietly.众所周知,图书馆里禁止大声喧哗。
- I don'tthinkyouquiteunderstand theseverityofourfinancialproblems.
- I understand therentisfixedat £750 amonth.
- I understand how youfeel, but you really mustkeeptrying.
- It canhelptotalkto someone who issufferingthe sameproblemsand who understands what it's like.
- It is hard for theable-bodiedto understand thedifficultiesthatdisabledpeopleencounterintheirdailylives.
Understanding and comprehending
- apprehend
- apprehensible
- apprehension
- astutely
- atyourfingertipsidiom
- connection
- figure
- hold
- keenness
- keepsomeoneup
- know a hawk from a handsawidiom
- know the scoreidiom
- know/see wheresomeoneis coming fromidiom
- scale
- uncomprehending
- uncomprehendingly
- understanding
- voice recognition
- wake up tosomething
- wisdom
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Linguistics: question words & expressions
Idiom
makeyourselfunderstood