Translation guide
This guide covers how to express the idea of causing someone to understand something in Japanese. It includes causative forms, explanatory phrases, and natural communication strategies.
To make someone understand a fact, concept, or situation, often through explanation or demonstration.
The causative form of わかる (to understand). Used when the subject actively makes someone understand, often implying effort or insistence.
先生は生徒に問題の解き方をわからせた。
The teacher made the students understand how to solve the problem.
彼に自分の気持ちをわからせるのは難しい。
It's difficult to make him understand my feelings.
Causative of 理解する (to comprehend). Slightly more formal than わからせる, often used for intellectual understanding.
この資料を使って、新入社員にルールを理解させる。
Use this document to make the new employees understand the rules.
Causative of 納得する (to be convinced/accept). Implies making someone understand and accept something, often emotionally or logically.
彼を納得させるには、もっと証拠が必要だ。
To make him understand (and accept), we need more evidence.
To convey the process of explaining thoroughly so that the listener grasps the point.
Literally 'explain until (they) understand'. A natural, common way to express making someone understand through explanation.
子供がわかるまで説明してあげてください。
Please explain until the child understands.
More explicit: 'explain until (I) receive understanding'. Emphasizes the speaker's effort to be understood.
お客様に理解してもらうまで、丁寧に説明します。
I will explain carefully until the customer understands.
To cause someone to notice or become conscious of something, often with a nuance of enlightenment.
Causative of 気づく (to notice/realize). Used when making someone aware of something they hadn't considered.
彼に自分の間違いを気づかせた。
I made him realize his mistake.
Causative of 自覚する (to be self-aware). Stronger, often used for making someone aware of their own responsibility or condition.
彼にリーダーとしての責任を自覚させる必要がある。
We need to make him understand his responsibility as a leader.
To impart knowledge or skill so that the learner comprehends and can apply it.
Compound verb meaning 'to teach thoroughly, to drill into someone'. Implies intensive instruction until understanding is achieved.
新入社員に仕事の基本を教え込む。
Drill the basics of the job into the new employees.
A more roundabout way: 'teach so as to make them understand'. Natural when emphasizing the goal of comprehension.
生徒が理解するように教えるのが教師の役目だ。
It's a teacher's job to teach so that students understand.
To compel someone to understand, often against their will or with authority.
Using 無理やり (forcibly) with わからせる. Conveys a coercive or aggressive tone.
彼に無理やりわからせようとしても無駄だ。
It's useless to try to force him to understand.
English 'make someone understand' often uses a causative structure. In Japanese, direct causatives like わからせる are natural, but overusing them can sound forceful. Often, it's more natural to use phrases like わかるまで説明する (explain until they understand) or 理解してもらう (receive understanding).
彼にわかってもらいたい。
I want him to understand. (lit. I want to receive understanding from him.)
わからせる is the most general and common. 理解させる is more formal and intellectual. 納得させる implies acceptance or emotional agreement, not just cognitive understanding.