Inklingo

How to Say "understand!" in Spanish

English → Spanish

entienda

/en-tyén-da//enˈtjen̪d̪a/

verbA2formal
Use 'entienda' as a formal command when speaking to one person you address as 'usted', meaning 'understand!' or 'please understand!'.
An adult figure giving a firm instruction by pointing clearly at a simple colored block on a table, while another figure leans in attentively to receive the command.

Examples

Señora, entienda que no podemos hacer una excepción.

Madam, understand that we cannot make an exception.

Entienda bien esta parte antes de continuar.

Understand this part well before continuing.

No entienda mal mis palabras; solo estoy siendo honesto.

Don't misunderstand my words; I am just being honest.

Formal Commands

To give a polite command to someone you call 'Usted' (formal 'you'), you use the same form as the present subjunctive: 'entienda'. If you were speaking informally ('tú'), you would say 'entiende'.

Negative Commands

To tell someone formally not to do something, you also use 'entienda': 'No entienda eso' (Don't understand that).

Using the wrong 'you'

Mistake: “Señor, entiende la regla.”

Correction: Señor, entienda la regla. (Since 'Señor' requires the formal Usted, use 'entienda', not the informal 'entiende'.)

entiende

en-TYEN-deh/enˈtjen.de/

verbA1formal
Use 'entiende' as a formal command when speaking to one person you address as 'usted', meaning 'understand!' or 'please understand!'. This is a common imperative form.
A cheerful person with a bright, glowing lightbulb floating directly above their head, representing a moment of sudden understanding.

Examples

Por favor, entiende mi situación.

Please, understand my situation.

Ella no entiende por qué estás triste.

She doesn't understand why you are sad.

¿Usted entiende cómo funciona la máquina?

Do you (formal) understand how the machine works?

El niño entiende el español pero responde en inglés.

The boy understands Spanish but responds in English.

Two Uses of 'Entiende'

'Entiende' is used for 'He/She/It understands' and 'You (formal) understand' in the present time. It is also the formal way to give a direct command: 'Understand!'

The E → IE Change

This verb is irregular because the 'e' in the middle changes to 'ie' in most present tense forms, like 'entiende' and 'entiendo'. However, 'nosotros' (we) and 'vosotros' (you plural Spain) keep the original 'e': 'entendemos'.

Missing the Stem Change

Mistake: “Using *entendemos* instead of *entiende* for 'He understands'.”

Correction: The correct form is *entiende*. Remember to change E to IE unless you are using the 'we' or 'you plural (Spain)' forms.

Formal vs. Informal Commands

The most common mistake is confusing the formal 'entienda' (usted) with the informal 'entiende' (tú) when giving a command. Remember that 'entienda' is for formal situations (usted), while 'entiende' can be used as a command for informal situations (tú).

Related Translations

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