Thursday, January 7, 2016

What is the difference between 「理解」and「分かる」

Both of "理解する" and "分かる"  have the basic meaning of "understanding". However, there are some difference.

Case1: When you are asked some question which you can answer without thinking.
          考えなくても答えられるものについて聞かれた場合

Q社長がいつ帰ってくるか分かりますか Do you know when the president will return?)
A分かりません (I don't know)
 →この場合、「理解」は使いません。

Case2: When you are asked some difficult question which you cannot answer without thinking.
          考えなければ答えられない、難しい問題について聞かれた場合

Qこのレポートの含意が分かりますか Do you understand the implication of this report?)
A分かります or  理解できます (I understand)
 →考える必要があるものには、「分かる」「理解できる」の両方を使えます
      On this case, you can use both of them.

Case3: 理解 can be used for expressing positive evaluation
          肯定的評価を示すための「理解」

Q:彼が仕事をやめた理由はわかりますか? (Do you know the reason why he quitted his job?)
Aわかりますが理解はできません (I know it, but I don't agree with his decision.)

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