How to Say "they understand" in Spanish
The Spanish word for “they understand” is “entienden” — A1 level. This is a very common word in everyday Spanish.
Examples
¿Entienden la lección? Es muy importante.
Do they/you all understand the lesson? It's very important.
Mis padres no entienden mi trabajo en internet.
My parents don't understand my job on the internet.
Ellos entienden que la situación es complicada.
They grasp that the situation is complicated.
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).
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').
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.