How to Say I Understand in Japanese: Wakarimashita, Shōchi and More

Wakaru: the core verb for understanding

分かる (wakaru) means to understand, to know, or to become clear. Like many Japanese state verbs, the thing you understand is marked with ga, not o: nihongo ga wakaru, I understand Japanese. For "I understand" in response to something just said, Japanese usually uses the past form, 分かりました (wakarimashita), meaning "it has become clear to me".

The present form wakarimasu describes a general ability or state, such as understanding a language or knowing how something works. So if a teacher explains a point and you say wakarimasu, it can sound like "I already know that". Wakarimashita is the natural reply to an explanation or instruction.

Business Japanese: shōchi, kashikomarimashita and rikai

At work, the phrase depends on whether you are acknowledging information or accepting a request. 承知しました (shōchi shimashita) means "understood, I will do that" and is the standard reply to a manager or colleague. Its humbler form, 承知いたしました (shōchi itashimashita), suits emails and clients.

かしこまりました (kashikomarimashita) is humbler still and is the standard phrase for staff taking an order or request from a customer. You will hear it in every restaurant and hotel, and it is also a safe reply to clients and senior people. 理解しました (rikai shimashita) means "I have understood the content" and fits explanations, not requests; used as a reply to an instruction from a superior, it can sound detached, as if you are assessing rather than accepting.

Our guide to ryōkai versus kashikomarimashita covers the finer points of these acknowledgements in workplace chat and email.

Naruhodo, sō desu ka and other ways to say it makes sense

Sometimes "I understand" means "that makes sense now". なるほど (naruhodo) expresses exactly that moment of things clicking. そうですか (sō desu ka) means "is that so" or "I see", acknowledging new information, and そうなんですね (sō nan desu ne) is a softer, very common version.

Naruhodo can sound slightly as if you are judging the other person's explanation, so many people avoid repeating it to a manager or client. Sō nan desu ne or yoku wakarimashita, arigatō gozaimasu are safer upward. Our naruhodo guide explains the nuance in more detail.

Understanding is not agreeing

One of the biggest traps for learners is treating every hai as agreement. In Japanese conversation, listeners give constant short signals called aizuchi, such as hai, ē, un and sō desu ne, often with a nod. These mean "I'm with you, carry on". They say nothing about whether the listener accepts your proposal.

The same applies to wakarimashita. In a negotiation, wakarimashita can mean "I understand your position" and be followed by demo, but. If you need a real decision, ask for one directly and listen for words like sore de ikimashō, let's go with that, or mondai arimasen, no problem. Hesitations such as sō desu ne... or chotto kentō shimasu, we'll consider it, often mean not yet, or no.

Ossharu koto wa wakarimasu ga, "I understand what you're saying, but", is the polite way to disagree after showing you understood. Our guide to aizuchi covers listening signals in depth.

Saying you don't understand

Saying you do not understand is normal and expected from learners, and Japanese speakers generally prefer it to a false wakarimashita. The key is to be specific. Say which part you missed, then ask for what would help: repeating, slowing down, a simpler word, or writing it down.

The past form is often softer: wakarimasen deshita, I didn't understand, refers to what was just said rather than suggesting you never could. Adding sumimasen or chotto in front makes it gentle.

Checking that you understood correctly

In Japanese workplaces, confirming what you heard is considered careful, not slow. The pattern ~to iu koto desu ne, "so what you mean is", lets you restate a point, and ~de yoroshii deshō ka, "would that be all right", checks it politely.

When someone asks whether you understand, wakarimasu ka or daijōbu desu ka, answer honestly. Hai, daijōbu desu if you do, and ima no tokoro wa daijōbu desu ga, fine for now, if you might have questions later.

Tone and body language

Understanding in Japanese is shown as much with the body as with words. A small nod with each hai, eye contact that is steady but not intense, and taking notes when a manager explains something all signal attention. In meetings, silence without nodding can make the speaker unsure whether you are following.

Tone matters too. A short, falling wakatta can sound impatient, like "yes, yes, I heard you", especially with wakatta, wakatta repeated. A calm hai, wakarimashita with a nod sounds cooperative. On the phone, where nods are invisible, people say hai more often to fill the gap.

• Nod with each hai or ē as the other person speaks.
• Say hai, shōchi shimashita with a small bow when accepting a task from a manager.
• Avoid wakatta, wakatta repeated quickly; it sounds dismissive.
• On the phone, give audible hai more often than you would face to face.

Common mistakes

• Saying wakarimasu instead of wakarimashita after an explanation. It can sound like you already knew.
• Saying wakatta to a teacher or manager. Use wakarimashita or shōchi shimashita.
• Replying rikai shimashita to an instruction from a superior. It can sound detached; use shōchi shimashita.
• Taking every hai as agreement in a negotiation. Wait for a clear decision.
• Saying wakarimashita when you did not understand. It causes bigger problems later; ask instead.
• Using naruhodo repeatedly to a client. Sō nan desu ne is safer upward.