understand

comprendre

Saisir ce que signifie quelque chose que l’on entend ou lit.

En anglais simple : If you hear or read something, you know what it means.

• I understand this word.
• Did you understand what she said?
• He understood the instructions after reading them twice.

Comment l'utiliser : understand what/how/why… (I don't understand what this sentence means.)

Synonymes : get, comprehend, grasp

Contraires : misunderstand

Expressions courantes : understand a question, understand someone, understand the instructions

comprendre, connaître

Connaître assez bien un sujet, une activité ou une situation pour savoir comment s’y prendre.

En anglais simple : You know a subject, activity, or situation well enough to deal with it properly.

• He understands computers well.
• The team understood the task and started work.
• You must understand the rules before you can coach others.

Comment l'utiliser : understand how something works (She understands how the heating system works.)

Synonymes : know, comprehend, grasp

Expressions courantes : understand the system, understand the task, understand the business

comprendre, admettre

Reconnaître un fait ou accepter qu’une chose est vraie, même si elle déplaît.

En anglais simple : You recognize a fact or accept that something is true, even if you dislike it.

• I understand that rules are necessary.
• She understood why they had refused her request.
• We understand your decision, although we are disappointed.

Comment l'utiliser : understand that… (I understand that the tickets cannot be refunded.); understand why… (We understand why the road must stay closed.)

Synonymes : recognize, appreciate, accept

Expressions courantes : understand the reason, understand the situation, understand the principle