ああ、なるほど
aa, naruhodo
In Japanese, "oh, I see" is translated as ああ、なるほど (aa, naruhodo).
The phrase ああ、なるほど is used to express that you now understand something that was previously unclear, translating to "Oh, I see" or "Ah, I understand." The core component, なるほど, functions as an exclamation of agreement or realization and means "I see" or "I understand."
What does it mean word for word?
The word なるほど is an adverb that literally means "indeed" or "it turns out so."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ああ、なるほど is an informal way to express realization. For a more formal or professional setting, you can use そうですか to acknowledge understanding. You can also make the expression more polite and suitable for formal settings by combining the terms into なるほど、そうですか, which translates to "I see, is that so?"
How do you pronounce it?
aa, naruhodo
Did you know?
- If you say なるほど to a superior, such as a boss or a teacher, it can actually sound condescending. It implies that you are evaluating the validity of their statement, as if you are a judge granting permission to be correct.
- In traditional Japanese rhetoric, なるほど was historically used to concede a point in a formal debate before offering a counter-argument.
- The word なるほど is composed of the verb なる, meaning 'to become', and the particle ほど, meaning 'extent' or 'degree'. Literally, it conveys the sense of reaching a certain degree of truth.
Examples in context
- ああ、なるほど。わかりました。Aa, naruhodo. Wakarimashita.Oh, I see. I understand.
- ああ、なるほど！そうなんですね。Aa, naruhodo! Sou nan desu ne.Oh, I see! Is that so.
- ああ、なるほど。そういう意味ですか？Aa, naruhodo. Sou iu imi desu ka?Oh, I see. Is that what you mean?
Example conversation
Two siblings are discussing how to use a new kitchen appliance.
- 陽葵 Himariこのボタンを押すと動くよ。Kono botan o osu to ugoku yo.It moves when you press this button.
- 陽太 Yotaああ、なるほど。使い方がわかったよ。Aa, naruhodo. Tsukaikata ga wakatta yo.Oh, I see. I understand how to use it.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太くん、上手だね。Hinata-kun, jouzu da ne.You are good at it, Hinata.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵姉さんのおかげだよ。Himari-neesan no okage da yo.It is thanks to you, Himari.
