懂 (dǒng)

懂 means to understand in the sense of having internalized knowledge or a skill. It is used for languages, subjects, and areas of expertise. Compare with 明白 (míngbai), which means to understand a specific explanation or situation and become clear on it. Use 懂 for skills and domains; use 明白 when something "clicks" in context.

Meanings

[verb] To understand; to know how; to be knowledgeable about. Implies a depth of comprehension, not just surface recognition.

Example Sentences

你懂中文吗？ Nǐ dǒng Zhōngwén ma? Do you understand Chinese?

这道题我不懂。 Zhè dào tí wǒ bù dǒng. I don't understand this question.

他很懂音乐。 Tā hěn dǒng yīnyuè. He really knows music well.

听懂了吗？— 听懂了。 Tīng dǒng le ma? — Tīng dǒng le. Did you understand (what you heard)? — Yes, I understood.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
听懂 (tīng dǒng)	to understand (by listening)
看懂 (kàn dǒng)	to understand (by reading/watching)
不懂 (bù dǒng)	to not understand
懂得 (dǒngde)	to understand; to know
懂事 (dǒngshì)	sensible; mature for one's age

Memory Hook

懂 has the heart radical (忄) on the left — understanding lives in the heart. If something truly enters your heart and takes root as a skill, you 懂 it. Compare: 明白 is a light suddenly turning on; 懂 is the knowledge that was built over time.