理解|りかいrikai[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbunderstanding; comprehension; appreciation
   わたしはあなたの言いうことが理解りかいできる。↗

   I can understand what you are saying.
2. noun, suru verb, transitive verbsympathy

• SynonymわかるNeutralThe most common everyday verb for understanding or getting something. 「理解する」 is the more formal, written choice, stressing correct grasp of the content.
• Synonym了解りょうかいNeutralUnderstanding together with acceptance; often a reply, as in 「了解しました」 meaning 'got it' or 'roger'.
• Synonym解するかいするWrittenWritten verb for understanding or appreciating something, as in 「冗談を解さない」 or 「ユーモアを解する」.
• Synonym分かりわかりNeutralA noun mostly seen in compounds like 「物分かり」 or 「分かりが早い」, for one's ability to understand; rarely used alone.
• Synonym会得えとくWrittenWritten word for absorbing and mastering a skill or knack, as in 「コツを会得する」.
• Synonym悟るさとるWrittenWritten word for grasping the true essence of things or attaining enlightenment; deeper and more of a sudden insight than 「理解」.
• Synonym知るしるNeutralTo know or learn of something; 「理解」 goes a step further, to grasp the reasoning behind it.
• Synonym認識にんしきWrittenWritten word for recognizing or being clearly aware of the nature of a situation or thing, as in 「認識を改める」.
• Synonym把握はあくNeutralGetting a firm grasp of a situation or the whole picture, as in 「状況を把握する」; the emphasis is on comprehensive coverage.
• Synonym了知りょうちWrittenRare, formal word for fully knowing something, found mainly in official documents; say 「理解」 in daily life.
• Synonym解せるげせるWrittenA written word now mostly seen in the negative 「解せない」, meaning one can't make sense of or accept something; the affirmative is rare.
• Related飲み込むのみこむNeutralLiterally 'to swallow'; by extension to catch on or get the hang of something, as in 「要領を飲み込む」.
• Related受け取るうけとるNeutralLiterally 'to receive'; for taking someone's words or actions a certain way, as in 「好意と受け取る」.
• Related汲み取るくみとるNeutralLiterally 'to scoop up water'; for sensing and taking account of another person's feelings, as in 「気持ちを汲み取る」.
• Related解釈かいしゃくNeutralInterpreting or reading meaning into something, which can differ from person to person; 「理解」 stresses grasping it correctly.
• Related共感きょうかんNeutralFeeling empathy or resonance with someone's emotions or views — an emotional response, whereas 「理解」 is more rational.
• Related同調どうちょうWrittenWritten term for going along with others or conforming, as in 「同調圧力」; agreement here need not involve real understanding.
• Related認知にんちWrittenWritten word for acknowledging that something exists or is known, as in 「社会に認知される」; also the legal term 「子の認知」.
• Related噛み分けるかみわけるWrittenA written word: literally 'to taste', figuratively to savor life's ups and downs or the ways of the world, as in 「酸いも甘いも噛み分ける」.
• Related飲み込みのみこみCasualColloquial noun for how quickly one picks things up; often in 「飲み込みが早い」, 'a quick learner'.
• Related理解力りかいりょくNeutralThe faculty or ability to understand; 「理解」 refers to the act of understanding itself.
• Antonym誤解ごかいNeutralAntonym: to misinterpret or get the wrong idea — the opposite of understanding something correctly.
• Antonym無理解むりかいWrittenAntonym: a written word for lack of understanding or sympathy, as in 「周囲の無理解」 — the opposite of 「理解」 in its 'consideration' sense.

Use 「理解」 for grasping content correctly and for being considerate of others' feelings. In everyday speech, say 「分かる」 for 'I get it', and 「了解」 to acknowledge an instruction. Use 「把握」 for getting a handle on a situation and 「共感」 for emotional resonance. Others: 「飲み込む」 and 「会得」 for catching on or mastering, 「悟る」 for deep realization, 「知る」 for merely knowing, 「認識」 for awareness of the facts, 「解釈」 for personal interpretation, 「受け取る」 and 「汲み取る」 for reading others' words and feelings. 「誤解」 and 「無理解」 are the opposites.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. （それが何なんであるか、あるいは何なんを指し示さししめすかなどを）正ただしく判断はんだんし解釈かいしゃくすること。
2. （正ただしいかはともかく）一定いっていのしかたで解釈かいしゃくすること。
3. 相手あいての心情しんじょうや立場たちばを推し量おしはかり、共感きょうかんすること。
4. 好意的こういてきに受け止うけとめること。