verstehen
to understand
To grasp the sense or meaning of something with the mind.
EXAMPLE
Ich verstehe die Anweisungen nicht, kannst du sie mir erklären?
I don't understand the instructions; can you explain them to me?
verstehen
to understand
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Meanings
verstehen
to understand
To comprehend a person's feelings, motives, or actions and have sympathy for them.
EXAMPLE
Ich kann gut verstehen, dass du enttäuscht bist.
I can understand very well that you're disappointed.
verstehen
to hear
To be able to perceive and recognize spoken words clearly by hearing.
EXAMPLE
Wegen der lauten Musik konnte ich kaum verstehen, was sie sagte.
Because of the loud music, I could hardly hear what she was saying.
sich verstehen mit
to get along with
To have a good, harmonious relationship with someone.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Schwestern verstehen sich blendend.
The two sisters get along brilliantly.
etwas von etwas verstehen
to know about
To have knowledge or expertise in a particular field.
EXAMPLE
Mein Onkel versteht sehr viel von Wein.
My uncle knows a lot about wine.
sich verstehen als
to see oneself as
To see oneself in a particular role or function; to define oneself as something.
EXAMPLE
Unsere Firma versteht sich als Partner für kleine und mittelständische Unternehmen.
Our company sees itself as a partner for small and medium-sized businesses.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Verstehen' (to understand) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem 'stehen' in all tenses and sentence constructions.
EXAMPLE
Er verstand die Frage nicht sofort.
He did not understand the question right away.
Fixed expression
The expression 'nur Bahnhof verstehen' (to understand only train station) means that you understand absolutely nothing or that the topic is completely unfamiliar to you. It is often used with complex or confusing explanations.
EXAMPLE
Der Physiker hat eine Stunde über Quantenmechanik gesprochen, aber ich habe nur Bahnhof verstanden.
The physicist talked about quantum mechanics for an hour, but I didn't understand a thing.
Context clue
This meaning is often used in negative sentences to describe acoustic problems. A reason is frequently given, for example with 'wegen' (because of) or 'weil' (because).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du lauter sprechen? Ich verstehe dich wegen der Musik kaum.
Can you speak louder? I can hardly hear you because of the music.
Sentence structure with 'mit'
This meaning requires a reflexive construction with the preposition 'mit' (with) and the dative. It describes the relationship between two or more people.
EXAMPLE
Ich verstehe mich sehr gut mit meinen Kollegen.
I get along very well with my colleagues.
Sentence structure with 'von'
To express that someone is an expert on a topic, you use the structure 'etwas/viel/nichts von + dative verstehen' (to know something/a lot/nothing about + dative). The topic is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Sie versteht viel von moderner Kunst.
She knows a lot about modern art.
Sentence structure with 'als'
This reflexive construction with 'als' (as) is used to define the identity or role of a person or organization. It describes how they see themselves.
EXAMPLE
Der Künstler verstand sich immer als Außenseiter.
The artist always saw himself as an outsider.
Compare with
sehenfolgenhörenerfassenmitbekommenbegreifennachvollzieheneinsehenkapierenerschließenauffassenmitkommenreingehendurchblickenharmonieren
verstehen vs sehen
to see
Verstehen generally means grasping the meaning of something. Sehen can also express understanding, especially in phrases such as „Ich sehe, warum …“, and in that case tends to emphasize a new insight. In such sentences, both words are often possible.
verstehen
Jetzt verstehe ich, warum diese Erklärung wichtig ist.
Now I understand why this explanation is important.
sehen
Jetzt sehe ich, warum diese Erklärung wichtig ist.
Now I see why this explanation is important.
In real life
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