分かった
wakatta
In Japanese, 'I get it' is expressed as 分かった (wakatta).
The phrase is used to show that you understand something that has been explained. While English speakers use the present tense 'I get it', the Japanese expression signals that the act of comprehension has already occurred. Depending on your intonation, 分かった can be used as a statement meaning 'I understand' or as a question meaning 'Do you understand?'
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term 分かった is an informal way to say 'I get it' and is suitable for use among friends or with people of equal status. If you are speaking to a superior, a teacher or a stranger, you should use the polite form 分かりました instead. In more formal or official contexts, you might encounter 承知しました, which carries a stronger sense of acknowledging information and fully comprehending what has been said or 了解しました, which is similar to saying 'Roger' or 'I understand' in military or official settings.
How do you pronounce it?
wakatta
Did you know?
- The verb in 分かった is actually the past tense of the verb 'to divide' or 'to separate'.
- While 了解しました is common in business, using it with a boss can actually be seen as rude or condescending, as it carries a nuance of 'acknowledging an order'.
- The phrase 分かった can be used as a command to mean 'Enough!' or 'I've heard enough!', often spoken with a sharp, descending tone.
Examples in context
- 今、分かった！I get it now!This sentence is useful for expressing that you have just achieved understanding using 分かった.Tatoeba #10195031 by small_snow, translation #9770386 by DJ_Saidez
- あ、やっと分かった。A, yatto wakatta.Oh, I finally get it.
- 説明を聞いて分かった。Setsumei o kiite wakatta.I understood after hearing the explanation.
Example conversation
Misaki explains a rule to Hiroto.
- 美咲 Misakiいい？ここが重要なんだよ。ii? koko ga juuyou nanda yo.Got it? This part is important.
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、分かった。un, wakatta.Yeah, I get it.
- 美咲 Misakiじゃあ、やってみて。jaa, yatte mite.Then, give it a try.
- 大翔 Hiroto分かった。やってみるよ。wakatta. yatte miru yo.Okay. I'll try it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
