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How to Say ‘Understood.’ in Japanese

わかりました。

wakari mashi ta

[wah-kah-ree mah-shee tah]

💬 Usage Tip: [わかりました] means "Understood," "Got it," or "I see." A taxi driver may say this after you give the destination.

🇯🇵 In Japan: You will hear [わかりました] all over Japan in customer service. It is one of the most reassuring phrases for learners.

Phrase Breakdown

わかり

wakari

[wah-kah-ree]

understand

Verb stem from わかる, used in 'I understood.'

Example

わかりました。

Understood.

ました

mashi ta

polite past ending

The polite past tense ending, making the phrase mean 'I understood.'

Example

行きました。

I went.

Words in this phrase

まし

mashi

[mah-shee]

polite past marker part

Part of the polite past ending in ました.

Example

わかりました。

Understood.

ta

[tah]

past ending part

Completes the polite past form.

Example

わかりました。

Understood.

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