日本語が分かります
nihongo ga wakarimasu
To say "I know japanese" in Japanese, use 日本語が分かります (nihongo ga wakarimasu).
This phrase is used to state that you can understand the Japanese language. The word nihongo means "Japanese" (the language). While 日本語が分かります focuses on your comprehension of the language, you might also use 日本語ができます to emphasize your ability to perform tasks or communicate in Japanese, as dekimasu means "can do" or "is possible."
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "Japanese (language) [subject marker] understand/is understood".
Which one should you use?
The form 日本語が分かります emphasizes comprehension. In contrast, 日本語ができます emphasizes your ability to actually perform or speak the language. Additionally, using the dictionary form 日本語が分かる instead of the polite 日本語が分かります makes the statement informal.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a very casual setting, you might hear 日本語、できるんだ。 to express the ability to speak Japanese or even the casual form of "to know", shitteru.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 日本語が分かります, the particle が (ga) is used to mark 日本語 as the object of understanding, which is a standard grammatical construction for the verb 分かります (wakarimasu).
How do you pronounce it?
nihongo ga wakarimasu
Did you know?
- In humble social situations, Japanese speakers often say 少しだけ分かります ('I only understand a little') even if they are quite fluent to avoid appearing arrogant.
- While English speakers use the verb 'to know' to express language proficiency, using the Japanese verb 知る (shiru) to say 'I know Japanese' would actually imply you possess information about the language rather than the ability to speak it.
- If you say 日本語が分かります to a native speaker, they may respond by suddenly switching to fast, complex Japanese, assuming your level is much higher than it actually is.
Examples in context
- 日本語が分かります。Nihongo ga wakarimasu.I understand Japanese.
- 少しなら日本語が分かります。Sukoshi nara Nihongo ga wakarimasu.I understand Japanese a little.
- 日常会話なら日本語が分かります。Nichijō kaiwa nara Nihongo ga wakarimasu.I understand Japanese if it is daily conversation.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are talking about their language skills.
- 陽葵 Himari健太さんは日本語が分かりますか。Kenta-san wa nihongo ga wakarimasu ka.Kenta, do you understand Japanese?
- 健太 Kentaはい、日本語が分かります。Hai, nihongo ga wakarimasu.Yes, I understand Japanese.
- 陽葵 Himariすごいですね！Sugoi desu ne!That's amazing!
- 健太 Kentaありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
