¿me entiendes?
In Spanish, "can you understand me?" is translated as ¿me entiendes?
This phrase is a question used to ask if someone is able to comprehend what you are saying. The Spanish version is the standard way to inquire about comprehension.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the object pronoun me (me) and the verb entiendes (you understand).
Which one should you use?
You can use ¿me comprendes? as an alternative to the more common ¿me entiendes? The verb comprender is used to ask the same question, but entender is more frequent in everyday conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are speaking to someone in a formal or respectful context, such as a stranger or an elder, use ¿me entiende? If you are addressing more than one person, use ¿me entienden?
Did you know?
- If you find yourself in a heated argument in some Spanish-speaking countries, asking ¿me entiendes? can sound more like a challenge or a demand for submission than a genuine question about comprehension.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, nodding while saying sí does not always mean 'I understand' but rather 'I am listening'.
- In many Latin American countries, if someone says ¿me sigues? instead of ¿me entiendes?, they are literally asking 'are you following me?' to check if you can keep up with the pace of their speech.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿me comprende? Estoy buscando la oficina de turismo.Excuse me, can you understand me? I'm looking for the tourist office.
- ¿Me comprende, doctor? Es importante seguir el tratamiento.Can you understand me, doctor? It's important to continue the treatment.
- ¿Me entiendes, hermano? Necesito tu ayuda con este problema.Can you understand me, brother? I need your help with this problem.
- Chicos, no puedo explicar más despacio. ¿Me entienden?Guys, I can't explain any slower. Can you understand me?
- Hablo muy rápido, ¿me entiendes?I speak very fast, do you understand me?
- Si hablo bajo, ¿me entiendes?If I speak quietly, do you understand me?
Example conversation
Sofía is explaining a difficult concept to Mateo.
- SofíaEs un proceso muy complejo, ¿me entiendes?It is a very complex process, do you understand me?
- MateoSí, Sofía, lo entiendo perfectamente.Yes, Sofía, I understand it perfectly.
- SofíaQué bueno que me entiendes.I'm glad you understand me.
- MateoTu explicación fue muy clara.Your explanation was very clear.
