Can you explain the distinctions among wakata, wakatteru, and wakarimashita in Japanese and provide guidance on their appropriate usage?
2023-04-19
This is what goPenpal answered
Sure, I'll be happy to shed some light on this topic for you!
In Japanese, "wakata," "wakatteru," and "wakarimashita" are all variations of the verb "wakaru," which means "to understand." Each variation indicates a different level of understanding, and they are commonly used in different contexts.
"Wakata" is the plain past tense of the verb, indicating that the speaker understood something in the past. For example, if someone asks you if you understood a conversation that happened earlier, you could reply with "wakata" to convey that you did understand it.
"Wakatteru" is the present progressive form of the verb, indicating that the speaker currently understands something. For example, if you are in the middle of a lecture and the teacher asks if everyone understands so far, you could reply with "wakatteru" to indicate that you are currently following along and understanding the material.
"Wakarimashita" is the polite past tense of the verb, indicating that the speaker respectfully understood something in the past. This form is commonly used in formal situations, such as business meetings or when speaking to someone in a position of authority. For example, if you have just finished a presentation to your boss and they ask if you understood their feedback, you could reply with "wakarimashita" to convey that you did understand it.
In summary, "wakata" is used for past understanding, "wakatteru" is used for current understanding, and "wakarimashita" is used for polite past understanding in formal situations. I hope this helps you get a better understanding of these different forms of the verb "wakaru" in Japanese!
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