How to Say “Yes, I Understand” in French

By •
oui, je comprends
The English phrase "yes, I understand" is translated into French as oui, je comprends.
This phrase is used to confirm that you comprehend what someone has said. You can also use shorter variations like Je vois (I see) or C'est clair (It's clear) to show you understand a point.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of oui (yes), je (I) and comprends (understand).

Which one should you use?

While je comprends means "I understand", it is often more natural in French to use the past form j'ai compris (I have understood) to indicate that you have grasped a specific point that was just made.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

Oui, je comprends is a standard, polite way to confirm comprehension in both formal and neutral settings. For a more formal expression, you can use J'ai bien compris. In informal settings, you might use Ouais, j'ai pigé or the highly colloquial Ouais, je pige to mean "yeah, I get it". The word ouais itself is an informal equivalent of oui, meaning "yeah" or "yep".

How does it change in a sentence?

In the phrase je comprends, the verb comprendre is conjugated in the first-person singular present indicative as comprends.

Did you know?

  • The colloquial term piger used in j'ai pigé likely comes from the word for a 'peg' or 'stake', implying that a concept has finally 'clicked' into place.
  • The word oui evolved from the Old French oïl, which was used to distinguish the northern dialects from the southern oc dialects.
  • The French word comprendre can be used to mean 'to include' or 'to comprise', not just 'to understand'.

Examples in context

  • Oui, je comprends. J'ai bien compris les objectifs et les étapes nécessaires.
    Yes, I understand. I fully understood the objectives and the necessary steps.
  • Tout à fait! J'ai pigé, les objectifs et les étapes sont clairs.
    Absolutely! I got it, the objectives and steps are clear.
  • Oui, je comprends votre problème.
    Yes, I understand your problem.
  • Oui, je comprends la leçon.
    Yes, I understand the lesson.
  • Oui, je comprends tout.
    Yes, I understand everything.

Example conversation

Léa is explaining a new rule to Nathan at work.

  1. Léa

    C'est clair pour toi, Nathan ?
    Is that clear to you, Nathan?
  2. Nathan

    Oui, je comprends parfaitement.
    Yes, I understand perfectly.
  3. Léa

    Parfait, on peut commencer alors.
    Perfect, we can start then.
  4. Nathan

    Je suis prêt, allons-y.
    I am ready, let's go.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏
Rebekah Jessie
Rebekah JessieHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
guest
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Scroll to Top