Gotcha
Meaning: A casual contraction of 'got you,' meaning 'I understand' or 'I caught you.'
'Gotcha' has two main uses: as a confirmation of understanding ('Gotcha, I'll send it by Friday') and as a triumphant exclamation when catching someone or proving a point ('Gotcha!'). In conversation, it's often the quickest way to acknowledge you've understood instructions or information.
Examples
- The meeting is in room 204, not 202.' 'Gotcha, thanks. 会议在204室,不是202。''明白了,谢谢。«La reunión es en la sala 204, no en la 202.» «Entendido, gracias.»「会議は202じゃなくて204号室だよ。」「了解、ありがとう。」회의는 202호가 아니라 204호야.' '알겠어, 고마워.
- I was hiding behind the door and jumped out — gotcha! 我藏在门后面然后跳出来——逮到你了!Estaba escondido detrás de la puerta y salté — ¡te pillé!ドアの後ろに隠れて飛び出したんだ——つかまえた!문 뒤에 숨어 있다가 튀어나갔지——잡았다!
- So we need to submit it by noon?' 'Gotcha, I'll have it ready. 那我们得中午之前提交?''明白,我会准备好的。«¿Entonces hay que entregarlo antes del mediodía?» «Entendido, lo tendré listo.»「じゃあ正午までに提出すればいいの?」「了解、準備しておくよ。」그러니까 정오까지 제출하면 되는 거지?' '알겠어, 준비해 놓을게.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: acknowledging understanding, catching someone, confirmation
Tone: casual, quick
✓ Do Say
- Gotcha, I'll do that.明白,我这就去办。Entendido, así lo haré.了解、そうするよ。알겠어, 그렇게 할게.
- Oh, gotcha — I misunderstood.哦,明白了——我之前理解错了。Ah, vale — lo había entendido mal.あ、なるほど——勘違いしてた。아, 알겠어——잘못 이해했었네.
✗ Don't Say
- Too casual for formal acknowledgments — use 'understood' in professional emails在正式的确认场合太随意了——在专业邮件中应该用'understood'Demasiado informal para confirmaciones formales — usa 'entendido' en correos profesionalesフォーマルな確認にはカジュアルすぎる——ビジネスメールでは「understood」を使うこと격식 있는 확인에는 너무 캐주얼하다 — 업무 이메일에서는 'understood'를 사용할 것
Origin & History
Contraction of 'I got you' or 'I've got you,' in use in American English since the early 20th century. The 'gotcha' spelling reflects casual American pronunciation patterns.
Cultural Context
Era: Early 1900s onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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