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How to Say ‘I understand.’ in Japanese

わかりました。

wakari mashi ta

[wah-kah-ree mah-shee]

🇯🇵 In Japan: [わかりました。] is a polite "Got it" or "Understood," good with staff or strangers. In service situations, it's more natural than a very casual [わかった].

Phrase Breakdown

わかり

wakari

[wah-kah-ree]

understood

Verb stem from わかる, meaning to understand.

Example

道がわかりました。

I understood the way.

まし

mashi

[mah-shee]

polite past marker part

Part of the polite past ending ました, used to show a completed action politely.

Example

わかりました、と言います。

I say, 'Understood.'

た

ta

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