わかります
わかります
wakarimasu
= to understand / to comprehend / I understand
Wakarimasu means ‘to understand,’ ‘to comprehend,’ or ‘I understand.’ It’s one of the most basic and frequently used verbs in Japanese.
Wakarimasu is the polite form of ‘wakaru’ (to understand). It expresses comprehension or understanding. The verb covers understanding language, concepts, situations, and people’s feelings.
Wakarimasu is polite form; casual is ‘wakaru.’ Negative: ‘wakarimasen’ (don’t understand). Progressive: ‘wakatte iru’ (understand and remember).
わかります is typically written in hiragana. The kanji form 分かります exists but hiragana is more common.
Everyday use
日本語がわかりますか？
Nihongo ga wakarimasu ka?
Do you understand Japanese?
Casual / Social Media
その映画の意味がよくわかりました。
Sono eiga no imi ga yoku wakarimashita.
I understood the movie’s meaning well.
Formal / Cultural context
あなたの気持ちがわかります。
Anata no kimochi ga wakarimasu.
I understand your feelings.
Understanding and being understood are central to Japanese communication. Wakarimasu shows engagement.
Empathy and understanding are valued in Japanese culture, shown through communication and emotional awareness.
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