理解 (lǐ jiě) — to understand, to comprehend

Definition

理解 emphasizes understanding a reason, situation, or person's point of view — broader and more empathetic than 懂 (just grasping a fact or meaning).

verb

to understandto comprehend

理解。
Wǒ lǐ jiě zhè ge wèn tí le.
I understand this question now.
，理解。
Lǎo shī jiě shì dé hěn qīng chǔ, wǒ men dōu lǐ jiě le.
The teacher explained clearly, and we all understood.
理解？
Nǐ néng lǐ jiě tā wèi shén me zhè yàng zuò ma?
Can you understand why he did this?

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

理lǐunderstand

解jiěunderstand

理解 means to understand: both 理 and 解 carry the sense of comprehending, reinforcing each other.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

玉玉yùjade

Sound part声符shēngfú

里

Same sound today

理 pairs 玉 (jade) with 里, which shows how to say it; the jade part points to the old sense of polishing jade.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

角刀牛解

解 shows 刀 (knife) separating 角 (horn) from 牛 (cow), giving the picture of cutting up an ox.

Appears in