What is the difference in using entender or comprender?

Question

Sometimes when I use "entender" for the word understand, I get confused looks. Is there a time when you use "entender" as opposed to using "comprender"? As a side note, I am generally speaking with Latinos.

Answer 1

Since I started learning Spanish and speaking with native speakers (as best I can), I rarely hear "comprender." It is always "entender." It's funny, because americans use "no comprendo" so much it is a cliché. Now, the only spanish speakers I deal with are 80% mexico and 20% other south american countries so I can't speak to its use in the balance of the Spanish speaking world.

Answer 2

Literally speaking, Entender is closer to understanding and Comprender is closer to Comprehend. However, comprender can also mean to empathize/agree/grasp. Example.

Entiendo lo que me dices pero no te comprendo.

I understand what you are telling me but I cannot grasp it.

Spanish speakers will tend to use Entender and Comprender interchangeably though.

I hope this helps.

Nicely put! - sv2qp, Feb 22, 2011

Answer 3

Hi Robins and Welcome to the Spanishdict forum!!!

Many times (although not in all contexts) these two words are interchangeable.

If you do a search of our previous threads, you should find several useful discussions on the subject (it is actually a pretty common question).

Here are a few threads that should have some useful answers

When are they non-interchangeable

What's the difference between entender and comprender

Don't understand the difference

Hope to see you around the forum