me entiendes
/me entjendes/from spelling rules
The English phrase "you understand me" is translated into Spanish as me entiendes.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the object pronoun me (me) and the second-person singular form of the verb entender (you understand).
Which one should you use?
Me entiendes is the informal form used with friends, family or people your own age. For more variety, the informal phrase Sabes a lo que me refiero can be used to mean "You know what I mean".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, you will often hear Me entendés to express "You understand me". In Mexico, Me captas is a common informal way to say "You understand me".
How does it change in a sentence?
Use me entiende instead of me entiendes when speaking to someone in a formal context or to someone you address as usted. If you are addressing more than one person, use me entienden to say "you (plural) understand me".
Did you know?
- In some social contexts, instead of asking ¿Me entiendes?, people use ¿Me explico? which means 'Am I explaining myself?' This shifts the responsibility of clarity from the listener to the speaker.
- The verb entender shares a root with the English word 'intend', as both stem from the Latin 'intendere', meaning to stretch out or direct one's attention.
- While me entiendes is a question of comprehension, Spanish speakers often use ¿me entiendes? as a rhetorical tool to signal that they are about to say something blunt or controversial.
Examples in context
- Me entiendes muy bien.You understand me very well.This sentence is useful for saying that someone understands you very well.Tatoeba #5567531 by swyter, translation #3734355 by CK
- Tú me entiendes.You understand me.Tatoeba #1508798 by marcelostockle, translation #1188207 by CM
- ¿Me entiendes ahora?Do you understand me now?This sentence is useful for asking if someone understands you right now.Tatoeba #5128750 by makamoe, translation #3738826 by CK
- Estoy pasando por un momento difícil, pero espero que usted me entienda.I'm going through a tough time, but I hope you understand me.
- Sé que tuvimos un desacuerdo, pero ¿me entiendes?I know we had a disagreement, but do you understand me?
- Vamos a hacer como siempre, ¿sabes a lo que me refiero?Let's do it as usual, you know what I mean?
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena is explaining a complex idea to Javier.
- ElenaEs un problema difícil, ¿me entiendes?It is a difficult problem, do you understand me?
- JavierSí, Elena, te entiendo perfectamente.Yes, Elena, I understand you perfectly.
- ElenaMe alegra que me entiendes.I am glad that you understand me.
- JavierNo te preocupes, todo está claro.Don't worry, everything is clear.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
