compris
/kɔ̃.pʁi/masculine
The English word "understood" can be translated into French as compris.
compris is used as an adjective to mean "comprehended". You can add the word parfaitement before it to add clarity and emphasis. Note that in certain contexts, compris can also mean "included", such as in the phrase "taxes comprises".
Meaning: comprehended (adj)
Which one should you use?
While compris is the past participle of the verb comprendre (to understand) used as an adjective, entendu is a more formal way to express "understood".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. The masculine singular is compris and the masculine plural remains compris. The feminine singular form is comprise and the feminine plural form is comprises.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɔ̃.pʁi/
When do people say it?
To confirm that an instruction or a situation has been clearly understood, a common phrase to use is C'est compris.
Did you know?
- The word compris comes from the Latin comprēnsus, which originally meant 'seized' or 'grasped'. To the Romans, understanding a concept was physically imagined as grabbing it with the hand.
- If a teacher or parent asks C'est compris ? with a sharp tone, they are likely not checking your comprehension. Instead, they are using the phrase as a stern way to demand obedience or to say 'Do you hear me?'
- The word compris is a linguistic relative of the English word 'comprehend', but also of the word 'compress'. Both stem from the idea of bringing things together or 'grasping' them.
Examples in context
- Tom a tout compris.Tom understood everything.This sentence shows the use of compris to express that someone understood everything.Tatoeba #6829876 by felix63, translation #6830600 by Eccles17
- Dan l'a bien compris.Dan understood this well.This sentence demonstrates how to say someone understood something well using compris.Tatoeba #3991735 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #3991385 by Amastan
- Je n'ai rien compris.I have not understood anything.This sentence shows how to express a lack of understanding using compris.Tatoeba #4854166 by sacredceltic, translation #1765254 by kerbear407
- Bien comprisWell understood
- Parfaitement entenduPerfectly understood
- 124 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan is explaining a task to Chloé at work.
- NathanC'est clair pour toi ?Is that clear to you?
- ChloéOui, c'est compris.Yes, it is understood.
- NathanParfait, on commence maintenant.Perfect, we start now.
- ChloéD'accord, je m'en occupe.Okay, I'll take care of it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “understood” translations and entries compris, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries compris, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
