Entender vs. Comprender y Le vs. Lo

Question

¡Hola a todos!

I always mix up when a direct object vs. an indirect obj must be used with certain verbs; in this case, I don't know which to use with the verb "to understand." So my question is the following:

en inglés: I don't understand him.

(literally I do not understand the words he is speaking.)

en español, ¿es:

"No lo entiendo" ?

or should I use comprender, or instead of "lo" should i use "le?"

I'm a little rusty after not speaking Spanish all summer.

Also, i KNOW that there is a "translation" tab but idiosyncrasies of language often get lost in automated translation, so please do not reply with "have you tried the translation feature of the website?" I just need some grammatical insight here from someone who knows what they're talking about.

Muchas gracias,

Lorena

• Where are you speaking your Spanish? Spain, where the leísmo is more prevalent? - qfreed Sep 9, 2010
• preferably latin american Spanish, although ironically I am talking about someone from Spain (which is why I do not understand him) - lmkousa Sep 9, 2010
• Since its usage is so regional, I would listen and go with whichever I heard being used. - qfreed Sep 9, 2010
• I'd go with lo until I heard different, you can never be too wrong using what is grammatically correct. - qfreed Sep 9, 2010

Answer 1

"No le entiendo" is about the person. I don't understand you/he/she.

I you say "No lo entiendo", your statement is about the subject in discussion. I don't understand it, but it can be used also for the person, so you can't go wrong with it.

Answer 2

No puedo comprenderle (with "le" you are talking about a person who you don't understand)

No puedo comprenderlo (with "lo" you are talking about something that you don't understand)

Answer 3

Be careful with the pronoun "le"... When you use it, instead of "lo", to refer to a person, is called "Leismo"... but fortunately, it's accepted (only for the masculine singular)