How do you say "I understand" in Japanese?

Quick use

Use わかりました (wakarimashita) when you understood what the other person said and can move forward.

It is common after instructions, explanations, requests, and simple confirmations.

Chunk or pattern

• This is a fixed phrase.
• Learn the whole line first.
• Do not use it if you are still unsure. Use わかりません or もういちどおねがいします instead.

Light form contrast

• わかります (wakarimasu): I understand / I know.
• わかりました (wakarimashita): I understood / got it.

Practical note

In real conversation, this often means “Got it” rather than a literal “I understood everything deeply.”