entender

Senses

1. 1.

   to understand

   to comprehend or grasp the meaning of something

2. 2.

   to think; to believe

   to have an opinion or interpretation about something

3. 3.

   to mean; to intend

   to have a particular significance or purpose (used with 'por')

Examples

• "No entiendo lo que dices."

  I don't understand what you're saying.

• "Entiendo que la reunión es a las tres."

  I understand the meeting is at three o'clock.

• "¿Qué entiendes por 'democracia'?"

  What do you mean by 'democracy'?

Usage

Entender is one of the most common verbs in Spanish. Note the distinction: entender = intellectual comprehension; comprender can overlap but emphasizes full grasp; enterarse = to find out/learn news. Common mistake: do not confuse with 'saber' (to know a fact). The reflexive 'entenderse' means 'to get along' or 'to understand each other'."