verstehen
Translation
to understand, to comprehend, to know about, to get along
Examples
Ich verstehe die Frage nicht.
I don't understand the question.
Wir verstehen uns gut.
We get along well.
Er versteht etwas von Computern.
He knows something about computers.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to understand sth. I don't understand the question.
sich verstehen to get along (with each other) We get along well.
etwas von+3 verstehen to know something about sth. He knows something about computers.
Similar Words
Synonyms: begreifen, kapieren, nachvollziehen; Antonyms: missverstehen
Etymology
'ver-' (prefix, here indicating completion or thoroughness) + 'stehen' (to stand). Literally, to 'stand before' something and grasp its meaning.
Memory Tips
Imagine you 'stand' ('stehen') in front of a problem until you fully ('ver-') grasp it.