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"Comprehend" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "comprender", and "understand" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "entender". Learn more about the difference between "comprehend" and "understand" below.
comprehend(
kam
-
pri
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hehnd
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
2. (formal) (to include)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. comprender
Engineering comprehends different disciplines.La ingeniería comprende diversas disciplinas.
b. abarcar
The novel comprehends a period of 30 years halfway through the 20th century.La novela abarca un periodo de 30 años de mediados del siglo XX.
understand(
uhn
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duhr
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stahnd
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. entender
He lived in Paris for three years and still doesn't understand a word of French.Vivió en París tres años y aún no entiende ni una palabra de francés.
b. comprender
My fifteen-year-old daughter can understand even the most complex math problems.Mi hija de quince años puede comprender aun los problemas matemáticos más complejos.
a. entender
The troop movement can only be understood as a provocation.El movimiento de tropas solo se puede entender como una provocación.
a. tener entendido
From what I understand, she got divorced.Según lo que tengo entendido, se divorció.
a. entender
I understand you, but I think you have to overcome the victim mentality.Te entiendo, pero creo que debes abandonar la mentalidad de víctima.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
b. comprender
I was paying attention in class but I just didn't understand.Estaba prestando atención en clase pero simplemente no comprendí.
