Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| entender | /ẽ.tẽˈde(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /ĩ.tẽˈde(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
|
| compreender | /kõ.pɾe.ẽˈde(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /kõ.pɾi.ẽˈde(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
|
| perceber | /peʁ.seˈbe(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /peɾ.seˈbe(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
Portugal |
The verb is used to describe the act of grasping the meaning of something.
Which one should you use?
While entender is the most common way to say 'to understand', compreender is used for a deeper, more intellectual or empathetic grasp of a concept or person. Additionally, perceber is frequently used in place of entender to mean 'to understand' or 'to grasp' a point or instruction in European Portuguese.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, perceber is frequently used to mean 'to understand'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'I understand' in the present indicative, use entendo. To say 'I understood' in the first-person singular preterite (past tense), use entendi.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ẽ.tẽˈde(ʁ)/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
When do people say it?
When someone explains something to you, responding with Entendi is a common way to signal that you have understood the information.
Did you know?
- The word entender comes from the Latin intendere, which originally meant 'to stretch' or 'to direct one's attention'.
- The verb perceber is a common way to say 'to understand' in Portugal, but in Brazil, it more frequently means 'to notice' or 'to sense'.
- In some contexts, compreender can also mean 'to include' or 'to encompass', as in a list that 'comprehends' several items.
Examples in context
- Tom não vai entender.Tom isn't going to understand.This sentence uses entender to show a negative future intention.Tatoeba #5167716 by bill, translation #3449058 by CK
- Você pode me entender.You can understand me.This sentence uses entender to express ability.Tatoeba #2356866 by MarlonX19, translation #69293 by Luornu
- É difícil te entender.It's difficult to understand you.This sentence uses entender to describe a difficulty.Tatoeba #5985504 by Ricardo14, translation #4664630 by CK
- Eu compreendo a sua situação complicada.I understand your complicated situation.
- Eu entendo perfeitamente a mensagem.I understand the message perfectly.
- Eu percebo a beleza da arte moderna.I understand/realize the beauty of modern art.
- Eu saco o que você quer dizer.I get what you mean.
- Peguei o recado, sem problemas.I understood the message, no problem.
- 410 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Camila and Felipe are studying a math book together.
- CamilaFelipe, você consegue entender este capítulo?Felipe, can you understand this chapter?
- FelipeAinda não, é muito difícil entender.Not yet, it is very difficult to understand.
- CamilaEu também tenho dificuldade para entender.I also have difficulty understanding.
- FelipeVamos tentar entender juntos agora.Let's try to understand together now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “understand” translations and entries entender, compreender, perceber, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries compreender, entender, perceber, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
