How do you say "I understand how you feel." in Japanese?

"I understand how you feel." in Japanese is "お気持ちは分かります。". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

What does "お気持ちは分かります。" mean in English?

"お気持ちは分かります。" means "I understand how you feel." in English.

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How to Say ‘I understand how you feel.’ in Japanese

お気持ちは分かります。

o kimochi wa wakari masu

[oh kee-moh-chee wah wah-kah-ree mahss]

🇯🇵 In Japan: This is a classic de-escalation phrase: it acknowledges your frustration without admitting fault yet. In Japan, service staff often start with empathy before checking details or offering a solution.

Phrase Breakdown

お気持ち

o kimochi

your feelings; your sentiments

Polite wording for 'feelings' or 'thoughts,' often used to show empathy.

Example

お気持ちはよく分かります。

I understand your feelings well.

Words in this phrase

お

[oh]

honorific prefix o-

A polite prefix that softens or elevates the noun it attaches to.

Example

お時間はありますか。

Do you have time?

気持ち

kimochi

[kee-moh-chee]

feelings; emotions

Refers to what someone feels emotionally.

Example

その気持ちは自然です。

Those feelings are natural.

は分かります

wa wakari masu

I understand

A polite way to say you understand what someone feels or means.

Example

その気持ちは分かります。

I understand that feeling.

Words in this phrase

は

[wah]

topic marker

Marks the topic; pronounced 'wa' in this use.

Example

料金は高いです。

The fare is high.

分かり

wakari

[wah-kah-ree]

understand (stem)

The stem form used before polite endings, from the verb 'to understand.'

Example

状況が分かります。

I understand the situation.

ます

masu

[mahss]

polite verb ending

Makes the verb polite and present/future in tone.

Example

確認します。

I will check.

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