Translation guide
How to express that something can be understood, is clear, or makes sense in Japanese.
To say that something is understandable or can be understood.
Standard way to say 'can be understood' or 'is comprehensible'. Literally 'can understand'.
彼の説明は理解できる。
His explanation is comprehensible.
To say that something makes sense or is logically consistent.
Means 'to be logical' or 'to make sense'. Literally 'the line goes through'.
彼の意見は筋が通っている。
His opinion is coherent and comprehensible.
To say that speech or sound can be heard and understood clearly.
Means 'to be able to catch/hear and understand'. Used for speech or audio.
彼の声はよく聞き取れる。
His voice is clearly comprehensible.
理解できる is more formal and emphasizes the act of comprehension. わかる is more casual and can also mean 'to know' or 'to find out'. For 'be comprehensible', わかる often works naturally in everyday speech.
この問題は理解できる？
Is this problem comprehensible?
この問題、わかる？
Do you understand this problem?
Everyday word for 'to be understandable' or 'to make sense'. Often used in the potential sense without explicit potential form.
この本はわかりやすい。
This book is easy to understand (comprehensible).
Means 'clear' or 'lucid', often used for explanations or writing.
彼の文章は明快だ。
His writing is clear and comprehensible.
Literally 'easy to understand', a very common way to describe something as comprehensible.
この説明は分かりやすい。
This explanation is easy to understand.
Means 'to be consistent' or 'to add up', often used for stories or arguments.
彼の話はつじつまが合わない。
His story doesn't add up (isn't comprehensible).
Means 'clear' or 'distinct', often for pronunciation or audio quality.
発音が明瞭で理解しやすい。
The pronunciation is clear and easy to understand.