¿lo entiendes?
The English phrase "do you get it?" is translated into Spanish as ¿lo entiendes?
This phrase is a question used to ask if someone understands a piece of information or a concept.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase lo entiendes literally means "you understand it", where lo is the direct object pronoun for "it" and entiendes is the verb for "you understand".
Which one should you use?
While ¿lo entiendes? asks if the person understands the concept, ¿me entiendes? is often used to check if the person is following the speaker's logic or words.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the concept or thing being understood is a feminine noun (like la idea), the pronoun changes from lo to la, resulting in ¿la entiendes? To ask this question more formally, use the third-person singular form entiende with the pronoun usted.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, particularly in Mexico, people might use ¿sí me explico? instead of ¿lo entiendes? to ask if you get it. This shifts the responsibility to the speaker by asking 'am I explaining myself clearly?' rather than questioning the listener's comprehension.
- In Spain, you might hear the phrase ¿lo pillas?, which uses the verb 'to catch' in a way very similar to the English slang 'do you catch my drift?'
- The verb entender shares a root with the English word 'intend'. Both come from the Latin 'intendere', meaning to stretch or direct one's attention toward something.
Examples in context
- Es un poco difícil, ¿lo entiendes?It is a bit difficult, do you get it?
- Te lo explico otra vez, ¿lo entiendes?I'll explain it to you again, do you understand?
Example conversation
Javier is explaining a math problem to María.
- JavierPrimero sumas estos dos números. ¿Lo entiendes?First you add these two numbers. Do you get it?
- MaríaSí, creo que ya lo entiendo.Yes, I think I get it now.
- JavierPerfecto, ahora intenta hacer el siguiente.Perfect, now try to do the next one.
- MaríaGracias por tu ayuda, Javier.Thanks for your help, Javier.
