Translation and Meaning of: 理解 - rikai

The word 「理解」 (rikai) refers to the understanding or comprehension of something. It is a combination of two kanji: 理 (ri), which means reason, logic, or principle, and 解 (kai), which means solution, to untie, or to release. Together, these characters form a term that designates the process of understanding or comprehending something clearly and logically, unraveling and organizing thoughts.

In the Japanese language, 「理解」 is widely used in both formal and informal contexts. It can refer to the understanding of complex academic concepts or the simple comprehension of feelings or everyday situations. Furthermore, it is common in communicational contexts, such as the understanding between people from different cultures or backgrounds, highlighting its importance in promoting harmony and mutual understanding.

The origin of the kanji that make up 「理解」 traces back to ancient Chinese writing. The kanji 理 (ri) is associated with elevated concepts such as reason and justice, while 解 (kai) historically relates to undoing knots, symbolizing the idea of clarifying or freeing tangled thoughts. Together, these elements not only form a practical word but also carry a wealth of philosophical and cultural meaning.

Despite being a seemingly simple term at first glance, 「理解」 has deep implications in human communication and culture. The act of understanding goes beyond the mere recognition of words or ideas; it involves an active effort to connect and organize information in a meaningful way, allowing us to better navigate the world around us.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

理解力 (rikairyoku) - Understanding capacity
理解度 (rikai do) - Level of understanding
理解能力 (rikai nouryoku) - Comprehension skill
理解性 (rikai sei) - Quality of being understandable
理解力強化 (rikairyoku kyouka) - Strengthening comprehension skills
理解度向上 (rikai do koujou) - Improvement of the level of understanding
理解度アップ (rikai do appu) - Increase in the level of understanding
理解度向け (rikai do muke) - Intended for the level of understanding
理解度高める (rikai do takameru) - Raise the level of understanding
理解度深める (rikai do fukameru) - Deepen the level of understanding
理解度高い (rikai do takai) - High level of understanding
理解度低い (rikai do hikui) - Low level of comprehension
理解度不足 (rikai do fusoku) - Insufficiency in the level of understanding
理解度向上策 (rikai do koujou saku) - Strategy to improve the level of understanding
理解度向上方法 (rikai do koujou houhou) - Method to improve the level of understanding
理解度向上プログラム (rikai do koujou puroguramu) - Improvement program for comprehension level

Related words

呆れる

akireru

be amazed; be shocked

分かる

wakaru

to be understood

理論

riron

theory

了解

ryoukai

Understanding; consent; comprehension; Roger (on the radio)

理屈

rikutsu

teoria; razão

矛盾

mujyun

contradiction; inconsistency

便宜

bengi

convenience; accommodation; benefit; practicality

把握

haaku

to understand; take it; understanding

認識

ninshiki

recognition; knowledge

存じる

zonjiru

to know

理解

Romaji: rikai
Kana: りかい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: understanding

Meaning in English: understanding;comprehension

Definition: To understand the meaning and content of things.

Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences

How to Write in Japanese - (理解) rikai

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (理解) rikai:

Example Sentences - (理解) rikai

See below some example sentences:

相互理解が大切です。

Sōgo rikai ga taisetsu desu

Mutual understanding is important.

相互理解 (sōgo rikai) - mutual understanding
が (ga) - subject particle
大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

文語を学ぶことは日本語を深く理解するために重要です。

Bungo wo manabu koto wa Nihongo wo fukaku rikai suru tame ni juuyou desu

Learning Bungo is important for understanding Japanese deeply.

Learning phrases are important for deep understanding of Japanese.

文語 - It means "written language" or "classical Japanese".
を - Particle that indicates the object of the action.
学ぶ - verb that means "study" or "learn".
こと - Noun meaning "thing" or "fact".
は - Particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
日本語 - It means "Japanese".
を - Particle that indicates the object of the action.
深く - adverb that means "deeply".
理解する - verb that means "to understand" or "to comprehend".
ために - expression that means "for" or "in order to".
重要です - adjective that means "important".

対話は相手を理解するための重要な手段です。

Taidowa wa aite o rikai suru tame no juuyou na shudan desu

Dialogue is an important means of understanding the other person.

Dialogue is an important means to understand the other person.

対話 (taiwa) - dialogue
は (wa) - Topic particle
相手 (aite) - another person, interlocutor
を (wo) - direct object particle
理解する (rikai suru) - Understand
ための (tame no) - for
重要な (juuyou na) - important
手段 (shudan) - middle, method
です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

完全に理解した。

Kanzen ni rikai shita

I completely understood.

完全に - completely
理解した - I understand

互いに理解し合うことが大切です。

Tagai ni rikai shiau koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to understand each other.

互いに - means "each other" or "mutually".
理解 - means "understanding" or "comprehension".
し合う - is a verb form that indicates the action of "doing together" or "helping each other".
こと - is a noun meaning "thing" or "subject".
が - It is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
大切 - It means "important" or "valuable".
です - is a polite way of saying "ser" or "estar".

原理を理解することが重要です。

Genri wo rikai suru koto ga juuyou desu

It is important to understand the principles.

It is important to understand the principle.

原理 (genri) - principle, theory
を (wo) - object particle
理解する (rikai suru) - understand
こと (koto) - verb noun
が (ga) - subject particle
重要 (juuyou) - important
です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

慣用句は日本語の表現を理解する上で重要です。

Kanyouku wa nihongo no hyougen wo rikai suru ue de juuyou desu

The Institute of Ideas is important for understanding Japanese expressions.

慣用句 - Idiomatic expressions
は - Topic particle
日本語 - Japanese language
の - Possessive particle
表現 - expression
を - Direct object particle
理解する - to understand
上で - In the perspective of
重要 - Important
です - Verb to be

私はあなたの立場を理解します。

Watashi wa anata no tachiba o rikai shimasu

I understand your position.

私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
あなた (anata) - personal pronoun meaning "you"
の (no) - particle indicating possession, in this case "your"
立場 (tachiba) - noun meaning "position" or "situation"
を (wo) - particle indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case "position"
理解します (rikai shimasu) - verb meaning "to understand" or "to comprehend"