understanding

Word family  noun understanding ≠ misunderstanding adjective understandable understanding misunderstood verb understand ≠ misunderstand adverb understandably

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++un·der·stand·ing1 /ˌʌndəˈstændɪŋ $ -ər-/ ●●○ W3 noun  1  [singular, uncountable]UNDERSTAND knowledge about something, based on learning or experience 了解；熟悉understanding of How does this add to our understanding of the problem? 这对我们理解这个问题有何益处？ If you know the neighbourhood, you have an understanding of what the children are like. 假如你熟悉这个街区，你就会知道这里的孩子是什么样子的了。 Linguists currently have little understanding of the exact cause of language change. 目前，语言学家对语言变化的真正原因知之甚少。 How can we gain an understanding of other cultures? 我们怎样才能了解其他文化呢？ Over time, you will get a far better understanding of the job. 经过一段时间以后，你对这个工作的了解会多得多。 Success depends on a clear understanding of the problem. 认清问题才能成功解决问题。 a basic understanding of AIDS prevention 对艾滋病预防的基本了解2  [countable usually singular]AGREE an unofficial or informal agreement 〔非正式的〕协议，协定come to/reach an understanding (=stop arguing and agree) 达成协议 My father was furious at first, but eventually we came to an understanding. 起初爸爸很生气，不过我们最后取得了一致意见。 We had an understanding that Jean-Claude should never be mentioned. 我们有一个共识，永远不提让－克洛德。3  [singular, uncountable]UNDERSTANDSYMPATHIZE the ability to understand people’s behaviour and to forgive them when they do something wrong 理解；体谅，谅解 The principal listened to the boy’s story with sympathy and understanding. 校长满怀同情和理解地倾听那个男孩的讲述。4  somebody’s understanding (of something) the way in which someone judges the meaning of something 某人(对某事)的理解 According to my understanding of the letter, it means something quite different. 根据我对这封信的理解，它的意思完全是另外一回事。5  on the understanding that if you agree to something on the understanding that something else will be done, you agree to it, believing that it will be done 以…为条件，在认为…的情况下 Jack lent Sarah the money on the understanding that she would pay it back next month. 杰克把钱借给了萨拉，相信她会在下月归还。n COLLOCATIONSverbshave an understandingThe authorities don’t seem to have a clear understanding of the problem.gain/get/develop an understandingScientists continued to gain a greater understanding of the effects of radiation.deepen/broaden an understanding It is hoped that the research will broaden our understanding of the disease.increase/improve/enhance somebody’s understandingThe classes really helped to increase our understanding of the subject.adjectivesa better/greater/deeper understandingAll of this will lead to a better understanding of the overseas market.a clear understandingBefore you begin, it is vital that you have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve.a complete/thorough/full understandingThe degree gives students a thorough understanding of issues relating to housing.a proper/real understandingThey lacked any real understanding of the subject.a good understandingThe sales force has a good understanding of the market.a basic understandingThe aim of the examination is to test basic understanding of the written language.a limited understandingWe have only a limited understanding of how the brain processes this information.

Examples from the Corpus

understanding• Adams and the police have an understanding -- he gives them information and they don't ask any questions about his activities.• The book gave me an understanding of what it must be like to be addicted to drugs.• We came to an understanding that I would find a job and my husband would stay home with the baby.• Demonstrate your empathy and understanding of your children's problems.• We didn't have any understanding of the business colleges.• The research may lead to a better understanding of how the disease develops.• The training had been successful, he said, in bringing about alignment of different skills and improving business understanding.• Creating a greater understanding of what the school is about?• He seems to have very little understanding of economics.• Mutual understanding is important in all relationships.• That was not my understanding of the regulations, and I resent your accusation that I failed to follow them correctly.• There seems to be a lack of understanding on the part of managers when it comes to employees' personal problems.• A much greater level of understanding is required to carry out more complex experiments.• This is the only way in which indoctrination can be avoided and any real understanding of religion conveyed.• Too often all that is at fault is the observer's understanding of what other people's statements and actions mean.• Marryat's readers would bring at least some associations and some understanding to this piece of special pleading.• At field level, this implies a sufficient understanding of the contribution which different parties can make.• It was an unspoken understanding between Stu and me that I was going to be a lawyer and he was going to be an engineer.have an understanding of• If you can understand characteristic curves and have an understanding of what's happening mathematically or chemically it will help.• How, for example, is one to know that the students have an understanding of therapeutic diets?• Many people seem to have an understanding of faith which borders on superstition.• Just think what that means to people who have an understanding of what is really their present position.• Firstly, he or she will have an understanding of primary care, especially clinical presentations in general practice.come to/reach an understanding• But perhaps we can waive our definitions and come to an understanding on the basis of an adjustment in the rent.• He was glad he and Betty had come to an understanding.• This present body of work is the closest that he has come to understanding what it is that attracts him to travel.• It would be very convenient if we succeeded in coming to an understanding as to how the matter stands.• Based on this experience they came to an understanding of a fundamental problem of flight: control.understanding2 adjective  UNDERSTANDSYMPATHIZEsympathetic and kind about other people’s problems 能谅解的，宽容的 Luckily, I have a very understanding boss. 幸运的是，我有一个非常通情达理的上司。► see thesaurus at sympathetic

Examples from the Corpus

understanding• I'm sorry I've been so bad-tempered lately. Anyway, thank you for being so understanding.• He's funny, energetic, understanding, and a great teacher.• They rate themselves as very understanding and believe that women also value shyness.• The bank was usually very understanding, and generally gave us some leeway until we were able to sell something.• He would have been very understanding and would have helped us to find the right specialist.• In the first place, the rhetorical perspective advocates understanding attitudes in terms of the wider social context.• Irene often has to take time off work. Fortunately she has a very understanding boss.• Your local drug project may be able to put you in touch with an understanding dentist or specialist dental clinic.• Now I don't call that being very understanding, do you?• Matt is a very understanding guy.• My parents were wonderfully understanding throughout my divorce.• What it is to have an understanding wife!

un·der·stand·ing1 noun →n COLLOCATIONS1understanding2 adjectiveLDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable  

on learning or knowledge Corpus based experience about something,

understanding

I

un‧der‧stand‧ing¹ W3 /ˌʌndəˈstændɪŋ $ -ər-/ noun1. [singular, uncountable] knowledge about something, based on learning or experience
    understanding of
    How does this add to our understanding of the problem?
    If you know the neighbourhood, you have an understanding of what the children are like.
    Linguists currently have little understanding of the exact cause of language change.
    How can we gain an understanding of other cultures?
    Over time, you will get a far better understanding of the job.
    Success depends on a clear understanding of the problem.
    a basic understanding of AIDS prevention
2. [countable usually singular] an unofficial or informal agreement
    come to/reach an understanding (=stop arguing and agree)
    My father was furious at first, but eventually we came to an understanding.
    We had an understanding that Jean-Claude should never be mentioned.
3. [singular, uncountable] the ability to understand people’s behaviour and to forgive them when they do something wrong:
    The principal listened to the boy’s story with sympathy and understanding.
4. sb’s understanding (of something) the way in which someone judges the meaning of something:
    According to my understanding of the letter, it means something quite different.
5. on the understanding that if you agree to something on the understanding that something else will be done, you agree to it, believing that it will be done:
    Jack lent Sarah the money on the understanding that she would pay it back next month.
     

COLLOCATIONS

■ verbs
   ▪ have an understanding The authorities don’t seem to have a clear understanding of the problem.
   ▪ gain/get/develop an understanding Scientists continued to gain a greater understanding of the effects of radiation.
   ▪ deepen/broaden an understanding It is hoped that the research will broaden our understanding of the disease.
   ▪ increase/improve/enhance sb’s understanding The classes really helped to increase our understanding of the subject.
■ adjectives
   ▪ a better/greater/deeper understanding All of this will lead to a better understanding of the overseas market.
   ▪ a clear understanding Before you begin, it is vital that you have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve.
   ▪ a complete/thorough/full understanding The degree gives students a thorough understanding of issues relating to housing.
   ▪ a proper/real understanding They lacked any real understanding of the subject.
   ▪ a good understanding The sales force has a good understanding of the market.
   ▪ a basic understanding The aim of the examination is to test basic understanding of the written language.
   ▪ a limited understanding We have only a limited understanding of how the brain processes this information.

II

understanding² adjectivesympathetic and kind about other people’s problems:
    Luckily, I have a very understanding boss.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ sympathetic kind to someone who is having problems: My friends were very sympathetic when I lost my job. | Jill was a very sympathetic listener. | a sympathetic attitude
   ▪ compassionate wanting to help people who are suffering or having problems: The doctor was a compassionate man who always acted in his patients’ best interests.
   ▪ understanding not getting angry with someone or criticizing them, because you can see that they have problems: I have had a lot of time off work, but my boss is very understanding. | an understanding look
   ▪ caring caring about other people’s feelings and wanting to help them: I have very caring parents. | Most of the nurses are very caring.