The Difference Between 分かる (wakaru) vs 理解する (rikai suru)｜Japanese Grammar (N5–N3)

(Joy having an idea [Wakaru] vs. Joy analyzing data [Rikai suru])

“I get it!” vs. “I comprehend the theory.”
In Japanese, 分かる (Wakaru) is intuitive and emotional. 理解する (Rikai suru) is logical and academic. Using “Rikai suru” with friends can make you sound like a robot! Let’s learn the natural usage with Joy and Ken.

🗣 Conversation Scene

Joy and Ken are talking about a difficult sci-fi movie they just watched.

Joy

ケンさん、さっきの映画（えいが）、話（はなし）が難（むずか）しくて理解（りかい）できませんでした…。
(Ken, the movie’s plot was difficult, so I couldn’t “comprehend” it…)

Ken

複雑（ふくざつ）でしたね。でも、主人公（しゅじんこう）の悲（かな）しい気持ちは分（わ）かりますよね。
(It was complex. But you “get/feel” the protagonist’s sadness, right?)

💡 Explanation

Is it a “feeling/flash” or a “calculation/study”?

Point 1: Wakaru (分かる) = Intuitive / Emotional

Meaning: To get it / To realize / To identify
Used for daily situations, feelings, locations, and languages. It happens instantly or naturally (“Ah, I get it!”).

日本語（にほんご）が分かります。
(I understand/speak Japanese.)
あなたの気持ち、よく分かります。
(I understand your feelings very well. [Empathy])
駅（えき）の場所（ばしょ）が分かりました。
(I found/figured out the station’s location.)

Point 2: Rikai suru (理解する) = Logical / Analytical

Meaning: To comprehend / To breakdown logic
Used for complex theories, systems, math, or structures. It implies you used your brain to analyze the “How” and “Why”. It sounds formal.

この理論（りろん）を理解するのは難（むずか）しい。
(It is difficult to comprehend this theory.)
現状（げんじょう）を理解しました。
(I have grasped the current situation. [Business])

📊 Comparison Table

Word	Nuance	Use Case
分かる (Wakaru)	“I get it” (Intuition)	Feelings, Directions, Language, Casual Talk
理解する (Rikai suru)	“I comprehend” (Logic)	Math, Science, Complex News, Business Logic