How to Say ‘I understand.’ in Japanese
分かりました。
wakari mashi ta
[wah-kah-ree mah-shee tah]
💬 Usage Tip: Polite “Got it.” Often said after receiving directions. Slightly formal; friendly and safe with strangers.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Even if you’re not 100% sure, saying [分かりました] is common—then you can confirm with [左ですね] to be extra clear.
Phrase Breakdown
分かり
wakari
[wah-kah-ree]
understand (polite, past: understood)
Stem of 分かる (to understand). In polite past, it functions as “I understand / Got it,” commonly used after receiving directions.
はい、分かりました。ありがとうございます。
Yes, I understand. Thank you.
まし
mashi
[mah-shee]
(polite past form part)
まし is part of the polite past: ました. It appears in many polite responses: 行きました / しました / 分かりました.
分かりました。すぐ行きます。
I understand. I'll go right away.
た
ta
[tah]
(past tense ending)
た completes the polite past ました. 分かりました = “understood / got it.”
分かりました。助かりました。
I understand. You helped me a lot.
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