理解

• Reading: りかい
• Romaji: rikai
• Kanji breakdown: 理 (ri) — reason, logic, principle; 解 (kai) — unravel, solve, explain
• Pronunciation: /ɾi.ka.i/

Meaning

Understanding; comprehension. Grasping the meaning or significance of something.

Functions as a noun or する verb (理解する). Used for both intellectual understanding and empathetic understanding of someone's situation. 理解力 (rikairyoku) means comprehension ability. Often appears in expressions like 理解できる (can understand) and 理解を示す (show understanding).

Examples

1. この文法はまだ理解できていない。 I still don't understand this grammar point.
2. 彼の気持ちを理解しようとしている。 I'm trying to understand his feelings.
3. 先生の説明で問題が理解できた。 Thanks to the teacher's explanation, I was able to understand the problem.

Usage Guide

Context: study, communication, relationships

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 理 (ri, reason/logic) and 解 (kai, unravel/solve). Literally means unraveling the logic — reaching clarity by working through the reasoning.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal