entienden
en-tee-EN-den
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
¿Entienden la lección? Es muy importante.
A1Do they/you all understand the lesson? It's very important.
Mis padres no entienden mi trabajo en internet.
A2My parents don't understand my job on the internet.
Ellos entienden que la situación es complicada.
B1They grasp that the situation is complicated.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'E' to 'IE' Change
In the present tense, the 'e' in the middle of 'entender' changes to 'ie' in most forms (entiendo, entiendes, entiende, entienden), but NOT when talking about 'we' (entendemos) or 'y'all' in Spain (entendéis).
Indicative vs. Subjunctive
'Entienden' is the normal way to state a fact (They understand). 'Entiendan' (with the 'a') is the special form used for wishes or commands (I hope they understand).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Missing the Stem Change
Mistake: "Ellos *entendemos*."
Correction: Ellos *entienden*. Remember, the stem change happens when the vowel is stressed, which is the case for the 'they' form.
Using 'Saber' for Comprehension
Mistake: "Ellos *saben* la explicación."
Correction: Ellos *entienden* la explicación. Use *saber* for facts or skills ('They know Paris'); use *entender* for grasping meaning ('They understand the concept').
⭐ Usage Tips
Asking for Clarity
If you are addressing a group formally (like a classroom), you can use the short phrase '¿Entienden?' to check if everyone is following along.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: entienden
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'entienden' to check if a group of students grasped the material?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'entienden' the only way to say 'they understand'?
No, you can also use 'comprenden' (from *comprender*). Both are interchangeable most of the time, but *entender* is generally more common in everyday speech across many regions.
If I am talking to my boss and her colleague, should I use 'entienden' or 'entendéis'?
Use 'entienden'. 'Entienden' is the formal 'you all' (ustedes) form used everywhere, and the standard 'they' form. 'Entendéis' is the informal 'y'all' form used almost exclusively in Spain.