understand /ˌʌndɚˈstænd/ verb understands; understood /-ˈstʊd/ ; /ˌʌndɚˈstʊd/ ; understanding understands; understood /-ˈstʊd/ ; /ˌʌndɚˈstʊd/ ; understanding Learner's definition of UNDERSTAND
1
: to know the meaning of (something, such as the words that someone is saying or a language) : comprehend懂得，明白，理解（某人所说的话或一门语言等） [+ object]
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Do you understand English?你懂英语吗？
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“Did you understand what he said?” “Not a word (of it).”“你明白他说什么吗？”“一点都不明白。”
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I can't understand a word you're saying.你说的话我一点都不明白。
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I don't understand these directions.我看不懂这些说明。
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I didn't understand what you told me. = I didn't understand you.我没理解你跟我说的话。
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If I understand you correctly [=if I understand what you are saying correctly], this needs to be changed.如果我没理解错，你是说这需要改一下。
[no object]
2
[+ object] : to know how (something) works or happens了解，明白（某事物） -
They understand local politics.他们了解当地政治。
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I don't understand how this is supposed to work.我不明白这应该怎么运作。
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He doesn't really understand the situation.他并非真的了解情况。
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You should read the book in order to understand more about the subject.你应该读读那本书，好对这门学科有更多了解。
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I can't understand why she would do such a thing.我无法理解她为何会做那种事。
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She's beginning to understand what's going on.她渐渐开始明白正在发生什么事情了。
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You have to understand that I had no other choice.你得明白我那时别无选择。
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We still don't fully understand the causes of the disease. = The causes of the disease are still not fully understood.我们尚未完全了解这种病的成因。
3
a [+ object] : to know how (someone) thinks, feels, or behaves了解，理解（某人） -
I understand [=know] him well enough to know that he won't want to go.我非常了解他，知道他不会想去。
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She understands children.她了解孩子。
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At first we didn't get along, but I think we understand each other now.最初我们合不来，但现在我认为我们彼此了解了。
b : to feel sympathy for someone's feelings or situation体谅，同情，理解（某人的感受或处境） [+ object]
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She had a similar experience, so she understands what I'm going through.她有过相似的经历，所以很同情我现在的遭遇。
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I can understand your/you feeling annoyed. [=I think you have good reason for feeling annoyed]你感到恼火，我能理解。
[no object]
4 [+ object]
a : to think or believe (something)认为；以为 —
used to say what you believe to be true based on what you have heard, read, etc.得知；听说；获悉 -
I understand that they will arrive today.我听说他们会今天到。
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As I understand it, this has been a problem for several years.据我所知，这个问题已存在好些年了。
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I understand that some doctors disagree.我得知有些医生不同意。
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He understood that he would be paid for the work.他听说干这项工作是有报酬的。
b —
used to say that something is agreed to or accepted and does not need to be discussed达成共识；默许； —
usually used as (be) understood通常用作(be) understood -
It's understood that more time will be needed. [=we all know/accept that more time will be needed]大家都认为需要更多时间。
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He believed it was understood [=believed that everyone had agreed] that he would be paid for the work.他认为大家都同意付钱让他干这活儿。
5
[+ object] : to think that (something) has a particular meaning : interpret把…理解为；把…诠释为 6
[+ object] —
used to say that a word or phrase is thought of as having been said even though it is not actually said领会，推断出（省略的词或短语） —
usually used as (be) understood通常用作(be) understood
make yourself understood
— see 1make