이해하다 (i-hae-ha-da, ihaehada) · 이해되다 (i-hae-doe-da, ihaedoeda)
'이해하다' expresses actively understanding something, while '이해되다' describes the passive state of something being understood.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Actively understanding or comprehending something
When to use
Active understanding, Direct comprehension, Clear subject performing understanding action
The nuance
Used when the subject actively understands something. The subject is clearly performing the action of understanding.
Passively being understood or the state of something being comprehended
When to use
Passive understanding, Object being understood, Situation or content naturally comprehended
The nuance
Used when the subject is not the active understander but the object being understood. Often used when a situation or content is naturally understood.
나는 그 문제를 쉽게 이해했다.
na-neun geu mun-je-reul swip-ge i-hae-haess-da., na neun geu mun je reul swip ge i hae haess da.
The subject actively understood the problem, so '이해하다' is correct.
그 문제가 쉽게 이해되었다.
geu mun-je-ga swip-ge i-hae-doe-eoss-da., geu mun je ga swip ge i hae doe eoss da.
The problem is the object being understood, so passive '이해되다' is appropriate.
나는 그의 말을 이해되었다.
na-neun geu-ui mal-eul i-hae-doe-eoss-da., na neun geu ui mal eul i hae doe eoss da.
Since 'I' is the subject, the active form '이해하다' should be used.
그 설명이 이해했다.
geu seol-myeong-i i-hae-haess-da., geu seol myeong i i hae haess da.
'Explanation' is the object being understood, so passive '이해되다' should be used.
학생들이 선생님의 설명을 잘 이해한다.
hak-saeng-deul-i seon-saeng-nim-ui seol-myeong-eul jal i-hae-han-da., hak saeng deul i seon saeng nim ui seol myeong eul jal i hae han da.
Students are the active subjects understanding, so '이해하다' is correct.
그 문장이 쉽게 이해되었다.
geu mun-jang-i swip-ge i-hae-doe-eoss-da., geu mun jang i swip ge i hae doe eoss da.
The sentence is the object being understood, so passive '이해되다' is appropriate.
나는 그 이야기가 이해되었다.
na-neun geu i-ya-gi-ga i-hae-doe-eoss-da., na neun geu i ya gi ga i hae doe eoss da.
The subject is 'I', so the active form '이해하다' should be used.
이 개념은 학생들에게 잘 이해된다.
i gae-nyeom-eun hak-saeng-deul-e-ge jal i-hae-doen-da., i gae nyeom eun hak saeng deul e ge jal i hae doen da.
The concept is the object being understood, so passive '이해되다' is correct.
Which sentence requires '이해하다'?
Which sentence appropriately uses '이해되다'?
Fill in the blank: '나는 그 말을 ___'
