What does "dawn on" mean?

To suddenly realize something When understanding comes gradually like dawn breaking.

How do you use "dawn on" in a sentence?

It finally dawned on me. The truth dawned on her. It suddenly dawned on him what had happened.

Phrasal Verb BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

Meaning: To suddenly realize something

恍然大悟，开始明白

Darse cuenta de algo de repente

気づく、わかり始める

깨닫다, 알아차리다

When understanding comes gradually like dawn breaking.

像黎明破晓一样，理解渐渐到来。突然意识到某事。

Cuando la comprensión llega gradualmente como el amanecer.

夜明けのように理解が徐々にやってくること。ふと気づくこと。

마치 날이 밝아오듯 서서히 이해가 되기 시작하는 것을 뜻한다.

Base verb: dawn

Particle: on

Separable: No — the verb and particle stay together

It finally dawned on me.
我终于明白了
Por fin me di cuenta
やっと気づいた
드디어 깨달았어.
The truth dawned on her.
她明白了真相
La verdad se le reveló
真実に気づいた
그녀는 진실을 깨달았다.
It suddenly dawned on him what had happened.
他突然明白发生了什么
De repente cayó en lo que había pasado
何が起こったのか突然わかった
무슨 일이 일어난 건지 갑자기 깨달았다.

Context: realization, understanding

Tone: enlightened

From the gradual light of dawn.

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal