Polish · Everyday Verbs
"to understand" in Polish: rozumieć
rozumieć
To understand in Polish is rozumieć. The useful forms are rozumiem (I), rozumiesz (you, singular) and rozumie (he, she or it). Rozumieć is imperfective understanding; zrozumieć marks coming to understand a particular point.
Your own action
Rozumiem to pytanie.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce rozumieć
Say it
rozoomietsh
/rɔzumjɛtɕ/
In rozumieć, ć/ci has a soft ch-like sound. The content words in rozumieć normally use penultimate stress when they have multiple syllables.
"to understand" in Polish: quick reference
| Polish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| rozumieć | to understand Infinitive or dictionary expression. | Infinitive or dictionary expression. |
| rozumiem | I understand First-person singular present. | First-person singular present. |
| rozumiesz | you understand Informal second-person singular. | Informal second-person singular. |
| rozumie | he or she understands Third-person singular. | Third-person singular. |
How to use rozumieć in real life
- 1Your own action
Rozumiem to pytanie.
I understand this question.
Rozumiem is the form shown for your action in this example.
- 2Speaking to one person
Rozumiesz instrukcję?
Do you understand the instructions?
Use rozumiesz when addressing one person informally; polite address uses third-person grammar.
- 3Another person or situation
Ona rozumie polski.
She understands Polish.
Rozumieć is imperfective understanding; zrozumieć marks coming to understand a particular point.
Mistakes English speakers make with rozumieć
Incorrect: Ja rozumieć.
Correct: Ja rozumiem.
Conjugate rozumieć with ja: rozumiem. A bare infinitive cannot express this statement.
Incorrect: Ty rozumiem.
Correct: Ty rozumiesz.
For informal singular ty, the matching form of rozumieć is rozumiesz, rather than the first-person form.
Good to know
Rozumieć is imperfective understanding; zrozumieć marks coming to understand a particular point.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Talk about understand
Partner
Podaj przykład użycia tego czasownika.
Give an example using this verb.
You
Rozumiem to pytanie.
I understand this question.
Partner
A jak zapytasz drugą osobę?
And how will you ask another person?
You
Rozumiesz instrukcję?
Do you understand the instructions?
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to understand" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to understand" in Polish
What does rozumieć mean?
Rozumieć is imperfective understanding; zrozumieć marks coming to understand a particular point.
How do I use rozumieć with “I”?
The first-person form is rozumiem. For example: Rozumiem to pytanie. — I understand this question.
How do I ask one person using rozumieć?
Use rozumiesz for informal singular you. Rozumiesz instrukcję? — Do you understand the instructions?
What is the third-person form of rozumieć?
Use rozumie with a singular subject. Ona rozumie polski. — She understands Polish.
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