이제 이해했어
ije ihaehaesseo
The phrase "I understand now" in Korean is 이제 이해했어 (ije ihaehaesseo).
This phrase is used to indicate that you have just grasped the meaning or reason for something.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 이제 (now), 이해 (understanding) and the past tense verb ending 했어 (did).
Which one should you use?
While 이해했어 focuses on the cognitive process of grasping a concept, 알았어 is more commonly used to mean "I've acknowledged the information" or "I got it".
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase polite and suitable for speaking to superiors or strangers, you can add 요 to the end of 이제 이해했어 to get 이제 이해했어요. For professional settings or presentations, use the formal/honorific version 이제 이해했습니다. Other ways to express understanding include the polite 이해했습니다, the formal 알았습니다 and the informal 알았어 or 이해했어.
How do you pronounce it?
ije ihaehaesseo
Did you know?
- If you say 이해했어 with a sharp downward intonation, it can sound impatient, as if you are telling the speaker to stop repeating themselves.
- The word 이해 (understanding) is a Sino-Korean word, meaning its components are derived from Chinese characters. This is why it feels more formal and academic than the native Korean alternatives used in daily life.
- If you use 이제 이해했어 with a boss or teacher, you might cause offense. Even though it is grammatically correct, the lack of honorifics makes it sound like you are speaking down to them.
Examples in context
- 선생님, 제가 이해했습니다. 감사합니다.Teacher, I understand now. Thank you.
- 회의 내용을 알았습니다. 감사합니다.I understand the meeting details. Thank you.
- 응, 알았어. 우리 함께 할 수 있을 거야.Yeah, I got it. We can do it together.
- 어려운 문제지만, 나는 이해했어.It's a difficult problem, but I understand it.
- 이제 이해했어.ije i-hae-haet-eo.I understand now.
- 설명을 들으니 이제 이해했어.seol-myeong-eul deu-reu-ni ije i-hae-haet-eo.Now that I heard the explanation, I understand now.
- 아, 이제 이해했어!a, ije i-hae-haet-eo!Ah, I understand now!
Example conversation
Jihoon explains a difficult math problem to Seoyeon.
- 지훈 Ji-hun이 부분이 왜 이렇게 되는지 알겠어?i bu-bun-i wae i-reo-ke doe-neun-ji al-get-eo?Do you know why this part becomes like this?
- 서연 Seo-yeon응, 이제 이해했어. 고마워 지훈아.eung, ije i-hae-haet-eo. go-ma-wo ji-hoon-a.Yes, I understand now. Thanks, Jihoon.
- 지훈 Ji-hun다행이다. 정말 어렵지?da-haeng-i-da. jeong-mal eo-ryeop-ji?That's a relief. It's really difficult, right?
- 서연 Seo-yeon응, 그래도 이제 이해했어.eung, geu-rae-do ije i-hae-haet-eo.Yes, but I understand now.
