How to Say ‘I understand.’ in Japanese
わかりました。
wakari mashi ta
[wa-ka-ri ma-shee ta]
💬 Usage Tip: [わかりました] is a polite, practical way to say “I understand” or “okay.” Great survival phrase.
🇯🇵 In Japan: If instructions are clear, [わかりました] sounds cooperative and natural without being overly formal.
Phrase Breakdown
わかり
wakari
[wa-ka-ri]
understand
The stem of わかる, meaning to understand.
よくわかりました。
I understood well.
まし
mashi
[ma-shee]
did; polite past stem
Part of the polite past ending used in many verbs.
わかりました。ありがとうございます。
I understand. Thank you very much.
た
ta
[ta]
past tense ending
Final part of the polite past verb form.
終わりました。
It is finished.
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
Get Full LessonWhat 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