What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of go-rikai (understanding), itadakemasu (to be able to receive) and saiwai desu (it is a happiness/blessing). Literally, it translates to "I would be happy if I could receive your understanding."
Which one should you use?
While ご理解いただけますと幸いです expresses a wish for the listener's understanding, the phrase ご理解ください is a more direct request or command to "Please understand".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form ご理解いただけますと幸いです is highly formal and suitable for business correspondence or official announcements. For other formal contexts, 分かっていただけるとありがたいです is used to show respect to someone of higher status and 理解していただけると幸いです is a polite way to express the sentiment by wishing happiness upon the recipient should they understand. In informal settings among friends or close acquaintances, you can use 分かってくれるといいな or 分かってくれるよね, the latter of which demonstrates familiarity and trust.
How do you pronounce it?
go-rikai itadakemasu to saiwai desu
Did you know?
- In Japanese business culture, using ご理解いただけますと幸いです often functions as a polite way to signal that a decision is final and non-negotiable.
- Using the honorific prefix ご before 理解 turns the act of understanding into something precious that the speaker is 'receiving' from the listener, rather than something the listener is simply 'doing'.
- Japanese has different words for 'understand' based on the type of comprehension, with 理解 referring to logical or conceptual grasp and 分かって often referring to emotional empathy.
Examples in context
- 先生に提案した内容を分かっていただけるとありがたいです。I hope you understand the content of the proposal, Teacher.
- ご協力いただいたことに感謝しております。理解していただけると幸いです。We appreciate your cooperation. We hope you understand.
- ちょっと疲れているんだ。分かってくれるよね。I'm a bit tired. I hope you understand.
- 急な変更ですが、ご理解いただけますと幸いです。kyuuna henkou desu ga, go rikai itadakemasu to saiwai desu.It is a sudden change, but I hope you understand.
- こちらの事情をご理解いただけますと幸いです。kochira no jijou o go rikai itadakemasu to saiwai desu.I hope you can understand our circumstances.
Example conversation
A business setting where Hiromi explains a project delay to Hiroto.
- 陽葵 Himari納期が少し遅れてしまい、ご理解いただけますと幸いです。nouki ga sukoshi okurete shimai, go rikai itadakemasu to saiwai desu.The deadline has been slightly delayed, so I hope you understand.
- 大翔 Hiroto事情は分かりました。大丈夫ですよ。jijou wa wakarimashita. daijoubu desu yo.I understand the situation. It is okay.
- 陽葵 Himari寛大なご対応に感謝いたします。kandai na gotaidou ni kansha itashimasu.I appreciate your kind cooperation.
- 大翔 Hiroto無理をしないでくださいね。muri o shinaide kudasai ne.Please don't overwork yourself.
