How to Say ‘Understood’ in Japanese
了解しました
ryoukai shi mashi ta
[ryoh-kai shi ma-shee ta]
💬 Usage Tip: [了解しました] means “understood,” but in very formal situations [わかりました] is often safer for learners.
🇯🇵 In Japan: In business Japanese, [了解しました] can sound casual depending on hierarchy. At a ward office counter, [わかりました] is an easy safe choice.
Phrase Breakdown
了解
ryoukai
[ryoh-kai]
understanding; acknowledged
A formal-sounding word meaning understanding or acknowledgment.
了解しました。すぐに対応します。
Understood. I will respond right away.
し
shi
[shi]
do
Part of する, used to form many verbs and polite expressions.
確認しました。
I confirmed it.
まし
mashi
[ma-shee]
did; polite past stem
Part of the polite past ending ました.
了解しました。
Understood.
た
ta
[ta]
past tense ending
Completes the polite past form.
書きました。
I wrote it.
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