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entender means to understand — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: July 14, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

entender

verb • /[ehn-ten-DER]/

to understand

Example:

No entiendo lo que acabas de decir.

I don't understand what you just said.

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🧠 What does entender mean?

Entender means 'to understand' in Spanish. It refers to grasping the meaning of something, whether it's a concept, a situation, a language, or someone's words. It can also imply comprehension, empathy, and even agreement. It's a regular -er verb, so it follows predictable conjugation patterns.

📚 Extra examples

  • No entiendo lo que dices.
    I don't understand what you're saying.
  • ¿Entiendes la lección?
    Do you understand the lesson?
  • Te entiendo perfectamente.
    I understand you perfectly.
  • Espero que me entiendas.
    I hope you understand me.
  • Es difícil de entender.
    It's difficult to understand.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to understand' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'to understand' is 'entender'.
How do you pronounce 'entender' in Spanish?
Entender is pronounced approximately as 'en-ten-DEHR', with the stress on the last syllable.
How do you use 'entender' in a sentence?
You can use 'entender' in many ways, such as 'No entiendo' (I don't understand), '¿Me entiendes?' (Do you understand me?), or 'Entender la situación' (To understand the situation).
What is the English translation of 'entender'?
The English translation of 'entender' is 'to understand'.
Does 'entender' change for gender or number?
No, 'entender' itself doesn't change for gender. However, it does conjugate to agree with the subject pronoun (yo entiendo, tú entiendes, él/ella/usted entiende, nosotros entendemos, vosotros entendéis, ellos/ellas/ustedes entienden).
Is 'entender' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'entender' is extremely common in everyday Spanish conversations.
Does 'entender' have slang or double meanings?
While 'entender' primarily means 'to understand,' in some contexts, it can also mean 'to get along with' someone, like saying 'Nos entendemos bien' (We get along well). This isn't slang, but a nuance of the word's meaning.
Is 'entender' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The meaning and usage of 'entender' are generally the same across Spain and Latin America.
How do you conjugate 'entender' in Spanish?
Here's the present tense conjugation: Yo entiendo, Tú entiendes, Él/Ella/Usted entiende, Nosotros entendemos, Vosotros entendéis, Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes entienden.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "entender"

Synonyms: comprender, captar
Opposites: malinterpretar, desconocer

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'entender' comes from the Latin word 'intendere', which originally meant 'to stretch out' or 'to direct one's attention to'. This gives us a glimpse into the deeper meaning of understanding, as reaching for knowledge or focusing our minds on something.

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