了解

• 拼音: liǎo jiě
• 汉字拆解: 了 = completion/comprehension; 解 = 角 (horn) + 刀 (knife) + 牛 (ox) — to cut apart and understand

含义

To understand; to find out about; to be familiar with. To gain knowledge or information about something or someone.

Broader than 理解 (which focuses on comprehension), 了解 emphasizes knowing facts, details, or someone's situation. It can mean both 'to come to know' (active process) and 'to be knowledgeable about' (resulting state). Commonly paired with 情况 (situation), 历史 (history), or a person.

例句

1. 你对中国的历史了解多少？
2. 我想了解一下这个职位的具体要求。
3. 经过这次旅行，我更了解这个国家了。

用法指南

语境: learning, communication, everyday

语气: neutral

正确说法

• 我很了解他的性格。(I understand his personality very well.)
• 请帮我了解一下情况。(Please help me find out about the situation.)

错误说法

• 我了解这道数学题 — for comprehending a specific problem, use 理解 rather than 了解 (了解 is for factual knowledge, not logical comprehension)

起源与历史

了 means 'to finish' or 'to comprehend' and 解 means 'to untie' or 'to explain.' Together they suggest unraveling something until it is fully understood.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal