How to Say ‘I understand.’ in Japanese
わかります。
wakari masu
[wah-kah-ree mahss]
💬 Usage Tip: [わかります] means "I understand" or "I know what you mean." It often shows agreement too.
🇯🇵 In Japan: In chats about favorite stores or foods, [わかります] is a friendly way to say "Yes, exactly!" without sounding too strong.
Phrase Breakdown
わかり
wakari
[wah-kah-ree]
understand
The verb stem of わかります, meaning to understand or to know what someone means.
はい、よくわかります。
Yes, I understand well.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite verb ending
A polite ending used with verbs in everyday respectful speech.
それでだいじょうぶです、わかります。
That is fine, I understand.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
What Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager