이해하다 vs 알아듣다
Korean word comparison
Listen to 이해하다
Listen to 알아듣다
| 이해하다 | 알아듣다 |
|---|---|
i-HAE-da verb | al-ah-deud-da verb |
| to understand; to comprehend | to hear and understand (spoken words); to make out speech |
How they differ
알아듣다 specifically refers to auditory comprehension—understanding what is heard in speech—while 이해하다 covers understanding more generally (including written or abstract understanding). 알아듣다 implies real-time listening ability (e.g., dealing with accents, speed, or noise).
When to use each
When to use 이해하다: Use 이해하다 when discussing understanding of meanings, concepts, or feelings in general, including written material.
When to use 알아듣다: Use 알아듣다 when referring specifically to understanding spoken language or being able to make out what someone said.
Side-by-side examples
- 네가 한 말을 이해했어.
(I understood what you said.) - 그 사람이 빨리 말해서 잘 알아듣지 못했어.
(He spoke quickly, so I couldn't really understand (make out) him.)
Register & nuance: 알아듣다 is colloquial and primarily used in spoken Korean; 이해하다 is more widely used across formal and informal registers.