了解・諒解・領解・領会|りょうかいryoukai[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
了解了解（りょうかい） is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginners. It covers comprehension, consent, understanding, and agreement.
諒解諒解 is a kanji-only variant of 了解 and is rarely used, so learners will seldom encounter it.
領解領解 is a kanji-only variant of 了解 and is rarely used, so learners will seldom encounter it.
領会領会 is a kanji-only variant of 了解 and is rarely used, so learners will seldom encounter it.
Definitions
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbcomprehension; consent; understanding; agreement
- interjectionOK; roger
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 了解する（りょうかいする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 了解します（りょうかいします） |
| Negative (nai) | 了解しない（りょうかいしない） |
| polite (masen) | 了解しません（りょうかいしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 了解せず・了解せぬ（りょうかいせず・りょうかいせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 了解した（りょうかいした） |
| polite (mashita) | 了解しました（りょうかいしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 了解しなかった（りょうかいしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 了解しませんでした（りょうかいしませんでした） |
| Te form | 了解して（りょうかいして） |
| Potential | 了解できる（りょうかいできる） |
| Passive | 了解される（りょうかいされる） |
| Causative | 了解させる（りょうかいさせる） |
| Causative passive | 了解させられる（りょうかいさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 了解すれば（りょうかいすれば） |
| tara | 了解したら（りょうかいしたら） |
| Volitional | 了解しよう（りょうかいしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 了解しましょう（りょうかいしましょう） |
| Imperative | 了解しろ（りょうかいしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym理解りかいNeutralUnderstanding content or meaning, and also sympathizing with someone; 「了解」 is about hearing and accepting, and doubles as a 'roger' reply.
- Synonym了承りょうしょうWrittenWritten style: acknowledging or taking note, often in business as 「ご了承ください」; 「了解」 is the more casual choice.
- Synonym承知しょうちNeutralKnowing or being aware, also consenting; when replying to a boss or client, 「承知しました」 sounds more respectful, while 「了解」 is casual.
- Synonym把握はあくNeutralGrasping a situation accurately, as in 「現状を把握」; 「了解」 is about hearing and accepting what is said.
- Synonym解するかいするWrittenWritten: to understand or appreciate, as in 「風流を解する」; in everyday speech you would say 「分かる」.
- Synonym会得えとくWrittenWritten: grasping an art or skill and making it your own; 「了解」 is about hearing and accepting.
- Synonym承諾しょうだくNeutralFormally accepting a request or offer, as in 「承諾書」; 「了解」 is about hearing and accepting.
- Synonym納得なっとくNeutralBeing genuinely convinced or satisfied, as in 「納得できない」; 「了解」 is about hearing and accepting.
- Synonym合点がてんCasualColloquial: understanding or being convinced, as in 「合点がいく」; 「了解」 is the more general word.
- SynonymわかるNeutralThe most colloquial verb for understanding; 「了解」 is a noun that also serves as a 'roger' reply.
- Synonym諒するりょうするWrittenWritten and rare: appreciating someone's circumstances and accepting them; 「了解」 is about hearing and accepting.
- Related飲み込むのみこむNeutralTo catch on or get the hang of something, as in 「要領を飲み込む」; 「了解」 is about hearing and accepting.
- Related汲み取るくみとるNeutralTo sense or take into account someone's feelings, as in 「気持ちを汲み取る」; 「了解」 is about hearing and understanding.
- Related読み取るよみとるNeutralTo read meaning out of cues, or to scan and read data; 「了解」 is about hearing and accepting.
- Related同意どういNeutralAgreeing with another person's opinion; 「了解」 is about hearing and accepting.
- Related同感どうかんNeutralFeeling the same way as someone else; 「了解」 is about hearing and accepting.
- Related承認しょうにんNeutralFormal approval or official recognition; 「了解」 is about hearing and accepting.
- Related受け取るうけとるNeutralTo receive something, or to take someone's words in a certain way; 「了解」 is about hearing and accepting.
- Related許諾きょだくWrittenWritten: granting permission or licensing use of something; 「了解」 is about hearing and accepting.
- Related捉えるとらえるNeutralTo seize the point or catch an idea; 「了解」 is about hearing and accepting.
- Related承服しょうふくWrittenWritten: accepting wholeheartedly, often in the negative 「承服できない」; 「了解」 is more neutral.
- Related賛成さんせいNeutralApproving or supporting a proposal; 「了解」 just means you heard and took it in, not that you approve.
- Related賛同さんどうNeutralEndorsing someone's position or cause; 「了解」 just means you heard it, not that you endorse it.
Use 「了解」 when you hear and accept something, or to reply 'roger, got it'. For a more respectful reply to a boss or client, say 「承知しました」; in business writing, ask for acknowledgment with 「了承」. Use 「把握」 for getting an accurate grasp of a situation, 「納得」 for being convinced, and 「理解」 or 「分かる」 for plain understanding. The rest cover specific senses: agreeing (「同意」「賛成」), reading feelings or cues (「汲み取る」「読み取る」), and so on.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
