ああ、わかりました
aa, wakarimashita
The English phrase "oh, ok" can be translated into Japanese as ああ、わかりました (aa, wakarimashita).
This phrase is used to acknowledge that you have received and processed a new piece of information. It is an expression of understanding rather than an expression of agreement with someone's opinion.
What does it mean word for word?
ああ (aa) is an interjection functioning as "oh" or "ah" to express realization, and わかりました (wakarimashita) means "understood."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase ああ、わかりました is a polite way to express understanding. For informal situations with friends or peers, you can use the version ああ、わかった (aa, wakatta). In professional or business settings, you should replace the interjection ああ with はい to say はい、わかりました (yes, I understand) or use the highly formal かしこまりました (kashikomarimashita) to show acknowledgment or agreement.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb わかりました (wakarimashita) is in the polite past tense. This is the standard way to express that you have just processed and understood something.
How do you pronounce it?
aa, wakarimashita
Did you know?
- The word わかりました (wakarimashita) shares its root with the Japanese concept of 'dividing' or 'separating'. Etymologically, to 'understand' something is to be able to distinguish or divide its parts clearly.
- Japanese speakers may say わかりました even when they do not fully understand the information to avoid causing the speaker to lose face. This cultural preference for harmony, known as 和 (wa), prioritizes the social flow over literal accuracy.
- Japanese has several words for 'understanding' depending on the context. While わかりました is for general information, 了解しました (ryoukai shimashita) is specifically used to acknowledge a command or a task, similar to 'Roger' in English military radio speak.
Examples in context
- ああ、わかりました。Aa, wakarimashita.Oh, ok.
- ああ、わかりました。ありがとうございます。Aa, wakarimashita. Arigatou gozaimasu.Oh, ok. Thank you.
- ああ、わかりました。すぐに行きます。Aa, wakarimashita. Sugu ni ikimasu.Oh, ok. I will go immediately.
Example conversation
Misaki tells Daito that the meeting time has changed.
- 美咲 Misaki会議は三時に変更になりました。Kaigi wa san-ji ni henkou ni narimashita.The meeting has been changed to three o'clock.
- 大翔 Hirotoああ、わかりました。メモしておきます。Aa, wakarimashita. Memo shite okimasu.Oh, okay. I'll make a note of it.
- 美咲 Misakiよろしくお願いしますね。Yoroshiku onegai shimasu ne.I appreciate it.
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、承知いたしました。Hai, shouchi itashimashita.Yes, I understand.
