了解 (liǎojiě) — to understand

了解 (liǎojiě)

了解 means to understand something in depth, gained through investigation, experience, or close contact. It implies a richer knowledge than simply 知道 (zhīdào — to know a fact).

Meanings

1. [verb] To understand well; to know in detail; to be acquainted with.
2. [verb] To find out; to learn about through inquiry.

Example Sentences

我不太了解这个情况。 Wǒ bú tài liǎojiě zhège qíngkuàng. I don't know this situation very well.

你了解中国文化吗？ Nǐ liǎojiě Zhōngguó wénhuà ma? Do you understand Chinese culture?

我们需要多了解彼此。 Wǒmen xūyào duō liǎojiě bǐcǐ. We need to understand each other better.

通过这次旅行，我更了解了这个城市。 Tōngguò zhècì lǚxíng, wǒ gèng liǎojiě le zhège chéngshì. Through this trip, I understood this city much better.

Collocations

Memory Hook

了 means "finished" and 解 means "untie." You untie all the knots of confusion until everything is finished — fully understood.