了解
ryōkai[ɾʲo̞ːka̠i]
The English phrase "noted" can be expressed in Japanese as 了解 (ryōkai).
Meaning: well known because of one's reputation (adj)
Which one should you use?
The phrase 了解 is used to convey 'got it' or 'OK'. For more formal situations where you need to express that you have understood or acknowledged something, use 承知いたしました. If you want to specifically indicate that you have accepted and understood the given information formally, use 了承いたしました. To express a formal agreement while acknowledging provided information, use 承諾いたしました. In casual settings, you can also use わかった to say 'I understood' or いいよ to mean 'it's fine' or 'got it'.
How do you pronounce it?
ryōkai
Did you know?
- Using 了解 (ryōkai) in an email to a client can make you sound like a military officer giving a command, due to its historical roots in military radio communication.
- Among close friends, you might hear the shortened りょ (ryo) in text messages, which is a slang abbreviation for 了解.
- The phrase 承知いたしました uses a special humble verb form that literally lowers the speaker's status to show respect to the listener.
Examples in context
- 情報をいただきありがとうございます。承知いたしました。Thank you for the information. We have noted it.
- 了解。時間通りに行きます。Noted. I will be there on time.
- わかった！いつもの場所で会おう。Got it! Let's meet at the usual spot.
Example conversation
Yui tells Yota to buy milk on his way home.
- 結衣 Yui帰りに牛乳を買ってきてね。Kaeri ni gyūnyū o katte kite ne.Please buy some milk on your way back.
- 陽太 Yota了解。どこの牛乳がいい？Ryōkai. Doko no gyūnyū ga ii?Noted. Which brand do you want?
- 結衣 Yuiいつもの低脂肪のものでいいよ。Itsumo no teishibō no mono de ii yo.The usual low-fat one is fine.
- 陽太 Yotaわかった。買っていくね。Wakatta. Katte iku ne.Got it. I'll buy it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 了解, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
