verstanden
The English word 'understood' is translated into German as verstanden.
verstanden is used to describe the cognitive comprehension of a concept, a language or an idea. When used as a one-word exclamation, Verstanden! signals that an instruction or information has been received and understood, similar to saying 'Roger!' in radio communication.
Meaning: comprehended (adj)
Which one should you use?
verstanden refers specifically to understanding the meaning of something, which makes it distinct from gehört, the word for 'heard' (the act of perceiving sound without necessarily comprehending its meaning).
How does it change in a sentence?
As a past participle, verstanden is used with the auxiliary verb 'haben' to form the perfect tense, such as Ich habe verstanden (I have understood/I understood).
Did you know?
- If a German speaker says Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof, they are literally saying 'I only understand train station'. This idiomatic phrase actually means they do not understand anything at all.
- In some German dialects, the phrase Hast du es geschnallt? is used informally to ask if someone has 'understood' something, using a word that literally refers to fastening a belt or buckle.
- The word verstanden comes from stehen, meaning 'to stand'. To understand something in German is etymologically akin to 'standing before' or 'taking a position' relative to an idea.
Examples in context
- Er hat es verstanden.He understood.Tatoeba #9985273 by wolfgangth, translation #8477115 by CH
- Er hat mich verstanden.He understood me.Tatoeba #10049047 by wolfgangth, translation #2684445 by always
- Ich habe Sie verstanden.I understood you.Tatoeba #3577743 by al_ex_an_der, translation #10314727 by timur_seber
- Ja, ich habe verstanden, was Sie gesagt haben.Yes, I understood what you said.
- Ich habe den Plan verstanden und werde ihn umsetzen.I understood the plan and will implement it.
- Verzeihen Sie meine Fehler, ich habe verstanden, worauf Sie hinweisen.Please forgive my mistakes, I have understood what you are pointing out.
- Super, ich habe es kapiert. Danke!Great, I got it. Thanks!
- Kein Problem, hab's kapiert. Sag mir, was ich tun soll.No problem, got it. Tell me what I should do.
- Ok, alles klar. Lass uns dann um 7 Uhr treffen.Okay, all clear. Let's meet at 7 o'clock then.
- Alles klar, ich hole die Pizza auf dem Weg ab.Got it, I'll pick up the pizza on the way.
- Mach dir keine Sorgen, ich hab's verstanden.Don't worry, I understood it.
- Ja, ja, ich hab's verstanden. Ich werde es nicht vergessen.Yes, yes, I understood it. I won't forget it.
- 143 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia explains a task to Maximilian at work.
- JuliaHast du die Anweisungen verstanden?Did you understand the instructions?
- MaximilianJa, alles klar, ich habe es verstanden.Yes, all clear, I understood it.
- JuliaGut, dann fange bitte damit an.Good, then please start with that.
- MaximilianMache ich sofort, Julia.I'll do it immediately, Julia.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry verstanden, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
