understand

Definitions

under + stand — but the 'under' here is old and odd. In Old English under could mean 'among, in the midst of,' so understand likely meant 'to stand in the midst of' something, i.e. to be close to it and so grasp it. Don't read it as 'stand below'; read it as 'stand right among the facts.'

Why It Means This

understand is a famous puzzle: why would standing 'under' something mean to comprehend it? The likely answer is that Old English under did not only mean 'beneath' — it also carried the sense 'among, between.' To understand was to stand in the middle of a matter, close enough to see how its parts fit. The modern 'I understand you'll be late' (I've been told) is a gentle extension: I stand close enough to the news to take it as so.

Common Collocations

• 1.fully understand完全理解
• 2.hard to understand难以理解
• 3.understand why明白为什么
• 4.as I understand it据我了解

Example Sentences

• 1.

  I don't understand this question.

• 2.

  She understands how the engine works.

• 3.

  I understand you'll be leaving early.