don't understand the difference between comprender and entender

Question

i can't see the difference between comprender and entender when it comes to constructing a sentence. under the dictionary portion on this site, it doesnt really give examples of when to use comprender over entender. can someone clarify for me.

Answer 1

Here's how I'd explain it: You comprender with your brain and entender with your ears.

Comprender is comprehending an idea, and entender is getting the general idea. (:

• veeery good. - DJ_Huero Dec 8, 2009

Answer 2

Just like there's no real difference between the English comprehend and understand, there's no real difference between the Spanish comprender and entender.

• although that's true also - DJ_Huero Dec 8, 2009
• Somehow there is a difference in feeling when to use those words. Understand is used well more often. - epicfail Dec 8, 2009
• Somewhere along my path to learning Spanish, I was taught that if I didn't understand something that someone said, it was more polite, and put the blame on me and not on them, for me to say "No entiendo" rather than saying "No comprendo". - Pajaro44 May 9, 2010

Answer 3

Am dealing with this question myself. For me, in English, "comprehend" seems more polite, and more "upscale". "understand" is more informal.

Are "comprender" and "entender" similar to that idea?