How to Say ‘I understand.’ in Japanese
わかりました。
wakari mashi ta
[wah-kah-ree mah-shee]
💬 Usage Tip: [わかりました] is a polite and very useful response. It means “I understand” or “Got it.” It is safer and more natural than a casual “okay” in many public places.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Staff at museums, stations, and shops often give directions or rules. Replying with [わかりました] shows you are listening politely—gold-star visitor behavior in Japan.
Phrase Breakdown
わかり
wakari
[wah-kah-ree]
understood
From わかる, meaning to understand; this part shows the stem used in the polite past form.
説明がわかりました。
I understood the explanation.
まし
mashi
[mah-shee]
polite verb ending
Part of the polite verb form used in formal speech.
案内を聞きまし た。
I listened to the guidance.
た
ta
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