Meaning of 理解
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to comprehend; to understand
How to use 理解
理解 is used for understanding ideas, meanings, or people's feelings and choices. It often carries a sense of sympathy, as in asking someone to be understanding. Example: 我理解你的心情。(Wǒ lǐjiě nǐ de xīnqíng.) I understand how you feel.
理 (lǐ) means reason or logic, and 解 (jiě) means to untie or take apart. To understand something, you take it apart 解 until you see the reason 理 inside it.
Common mistake: Learners often use 理解 where 懂 (dǒng) or 听懂 (tīngdǒng) is more natural, for example after hearing words in a language. Say 我听不懂 (wǒ tīng bu dǒng) for not catching speech, and keep 理解 for grasping meaning or someone's situation.
理解 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
理 lǐ · texture · 11 strokes
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解 jiě · to divide · 13 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 理解.
| 道理 | dàolǐ | reason; argument |
| 经理 | jīnglǐ | manager; director |
| 理想 | lǐxiǎng | an ideal; a dream |
| 处理 | chǔlǐ | to handle; to deal with; to punish |
| 解决 | jiějué | to solve; to resolve; to settle (a problem); to eliminate; to wipe out (an enemy, bandits |
| 理由 | lǐyóu | reason; grounds |
| 理论 | lǐlùn | theory; to argue |
| 管理 | guǎnlǐ | to supervise; to manage |
| 整理 | zhěnglǐ | to arrange; to tidy up |
| 解开 | jiěkāi | to untie; to undo |
| 合理 | hélǐ | rational; reasonable; sensible; fair |
| 理发 | lǐfà | to get a haircut; to have one's hair done; to cut (sb's) hair; to give (sb) a haircut |
Questions about 理解
What does 理解 mean?
理解 (lǐjiě) means "to comprehend; to understand" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 理解?
理解 is made of 2 characters: 理 (11 strokes), 解 (13 strokes). That is 24 strokes in total.
Is 理解 an HSK word?
Yes. 理解 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 理解 and 了解?
理解 (lǐjiě) means to understand the reason or meaning behind something, often with empathy. 了解 (liǎojiě) means to know about or be familiar with facts, such as 了解情况 (to know the situation).
Can 理解 be used as a noun?
Yes. It can mean understanding or interpretation, as in 我的理解是这样的 (wǒ de lǐjiě shì zhèyàng de), meaning this is my understanding. Signs also say 谢谢您的理解 (thank you for your understanding).