mengerti
When you're just starting out in Indonesian, 'mengerti' is a super important word to know. It's how you say you 'understand' something.
You'll hear it a lot in everyday conversations, and it's really useful for letting people know if you're following along or not. It's a basic verb that will help you communicate clearly right from the beginning.
When you're learning Indonesian, you'll often hear mengerti. It's a key verb for communicating comprehension. Think of it as meaning 'to understand' or 'to get it'.
For example, if someone asks "Apakah kamu mengerti?" (Do you understand?), you can respond with "Ya, saya mengerti" (Yes, I understand) or "Tidak, saya tidak mengerti" (No, I don't understand).
It's a versatile word and very useful in everyday conversations.
When you're trying to say that you understand something in Indonesian, the most common verb to use is 'mengerti'. It's a straightforward word that directly translates to 'to understand'.
You can use 'mengerti' in various contexts, whether you're talking about understanding a concept, a language, or even someone's feelings. It's a versatile verb that will be very useful in your daily conversations.
For example, if someone asks you, 'Apakah kamu mengerti?' (Do you understand?), you can simply reply, 'Ya, saya mengerti' (Yes, I understand).
§ Understanding 'Mengerti'
The Indonesian word for 'to understand' is mengerti. It's a fundamental verb you'll use constantly in daily conversation. If you want to confirm if someone understands you, or if you understand something they've explained, mengerti is the word you need.
- Indonesian Word
- mengerti
- English Definition
- To understand
- CEFR Level
- A1
§ How to Use 'Mengerti' in Sentences
Here are some common ways you'll hear and use mengerti.
Saya tidak mengerti.
Translation hint: I do not understand.
Apakah kamu mengerti?
Translation hint: Do you understand?
Dia mengerti bahasa Indonesia.
Translation hint: He/She understands Indonesian.
Saya mengerti maksudmu.
Translation hint: I understand what you mean.
§ Common Phrases with 'Mengerti'
- Tidak mengerti: Don't understand
- Sudah mengerti: Already understood (or 'I get it now')
- Belum mengerti: Not yet understood
§ Similar Words: 'Paham' and 'Faham'
You might also encounter the words paham and faham. These also mean 'to understand' and are largely interchangeable with mengerti in many contexts. However, there are subtle differences in usage and formality.
Mengerti is generally the most common and versatile word for 'to understand'. It's suitable for almost any situation, from casual chats to more formal discussions.
Paham is also very common. It often implies a deeper, more conceptual understanding. Think of it as 'to grasp' or 'to comprehend'. If you understand the 'why' behind something, paham might be a slightly better fit, though mengerti is still perfectly acceptable.
Saya paham konsepnya.
Translation hint: I understand (grasp) the concept.
Apakah Anda paham instruksi ini?
Translation hint: Do you understand (comprehend) these instructions? (Slightly more formal than 'mengerti')
Faham is an older, more classical spelling of paham. While still understood, it's less commonly used in modern written or spoken Indonesian, especially in casual contexts. You might see it in older texts or more formal, academic writing. For everyday use, stick with paham or mengerti.
§ When to Use Which Word
When in doubt, use mengerti. It's the safest and most widely understood option.
- Use mengerti for general understanding of information, instructions, or language.
- Use paham when you want to emphasize a deeper, more conceptual grasp of something, or in slightly more formal contexts. It's also great for quick confirmations.
- Avoid faham in modern conversation and writing unless you have a specific reason to use the older spelling.
Practicing with these words will help you naturally distinguish their nuances. Don't worry too much about perfection early on; most Indonesians will understand you regardless of which you choose between mengerti and paham.
How Formal Is It?
"Apakah Anda memahami instruksi saya? (Do you understand my instructions?)"
"Saya mengerti apa yang Anda katakan. (I understand what you are saying.)"
"Dia nggak ngeh sama yang saya omongin. (He doesn't get what I'm saying.)"
"Adik sudah paham ceritanya? (Little sibling already understands the story?)"
"Lo mudeng kan maksud gue? (You get what I mean, right?)"
Wichtige Grammatik
The prefix 'me-' indicates an active verb. When combined with 'ngerti' (from 'erti'), it becomes 'mengerti'.
Saya mengerti pelajaran ini. (I understand this lesson.)
'Mengerti' can be followed directly by a noun or a noun phrase.
Dia mengerti situasinya. (He understands the situation.)
It can also be followed by a clause introduced by 'bahwa' (that), though 'bahwa' is often omitted in informal speech.
Kami mengerti bahwa kamu sibuk. (We understand that you are busy.) / Kami mengerti kamu sibuk. (We understand you are busy.)
To form a question with 'mengerti', simply add a question word or adjust intonation. 'Apakah' can be used for yes/no questions.
Apakah kamu mengerti? (Do you understand?) / Kamu mengerti? (You understand?)
'Mengerti' can be used with adverbs of degree like 'sedikit' (a little) or 'banyak' (a lot) to express the extent of understanding.
Saya mengerti sedikit bahasa Indonesia. (I understand a little Indonesian.)
Beispiele nach Niveau
Saya tidak mengerti.
I don't understand.
Apakah kamu mengerti?
Do you understand?
Dia mengerti bahasa Inggris.
He/She understands English.
Kami mengerti pelajaran itu.
We understand that lesson.
Mereka tidak mengerti pertanyaanmu.
They don't understand your question.
Saya mengerti sedikit bahasa Indonesia.
I understand a little Indonesian.
Tolong bicara pelan-pelan supaya saya mengerti.
Please speak slowly so I understand.
Kamu harus mengerti peraturannya.
You must understand the rules.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
Saya mengerti.
I understand.
Apakah kamu mengerti?
Do you understand?
Saya tidak mengerti.
I don't understand.
Dia mengerti bahasa Inggris.
He/She understands English.
Kami mengerti masalah itu.
We understand that problem.
Mereka tidak mengerti apa yang saya katakan.
They don't understand what I said.
Bisakah Anda membuat saya mengerti?
Can you make me understand?
Saya mulai mengerti sekarang.
I'm starting to understand now.
Dia berusaha mengerti perasaanku.
He/She tries to understand my feelings.
Saya harap Anda mengerti.
I hope you understand.
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Both mean 'to understand'. 'Paham' can sometimes imply a deeper understanding.
'Tahu' means 'to know' or 'to be aware of', broader than 'mengerti' (to comprehend).
The active form of 'paham', often implying a deeper level of understanding than 'mengerti'.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
"Tidak mengerti"
Don't understand
Saya tidak mengerti pertanyaan ini. (I don't understand this question.)
neutral"Mengerti sedikit"
Understand a little
Saya mengerti sedikit bahasa Indonesia. (I understand a little Indonesian.)
neutral"Mengerti sepenuhnya"
Fully understand
Dia mengerti sepenuhnya situasinya. (He fully understands the situation.)
neutral"Bisa mengerti"
Can understand
Saya bisa mengerti perasaan Anda. (I can understand your feelings.)
neutral"Kurang mengerti"
Don't quite understand / lack understanding
Saya kurang mengerti apa yang dia katakan. (I don't quite understand what he said.)
neutral"Mengerti maksudnya"
Understand the intention/meaning
Apakah kamu mengerti maksud saya? (Do you understand my intention?)
neutral"Membuat mengerti"
To make someone understand
Bisakah kamu membuat saya mengerti? (Can you make me understand?)
neutral"Susah dimengerti"
Hard to understand
Penjelasan itu susah dimengerti. (That explanation is hard to understand.)
neutral"Gampang dimengerti"
Easy to understand
Buku ini gampang dimengerti. (This book is easy to understand.)
neutral"Cukup mengerti"
Understand enough
Saya cukup mengerti untuk memulai. (I understand enough to start.)
neutralLeicht verwechselbar
'Tahu' can mean 'to know' or 'to understand'. It's often used interchangeably with 'mengerti' in casual conversation, which can be confusing for beginners.
'Mengerti' specifically means 'to understand' in terms of comprehending something, while 'tahu' is broader, meaning 'to know a fact' or 'to be aware of something'.
Saya tidak tahu jawabannya. (I don't know the answer.) Apakah kamu mengerti pelajaran ini? (Do you understand this lesson?)
'Paham' is very similar to 'mengerti' and often used as a synonym. Both mean 'to understand'.
While largely interchangeable, 'paham' can sometimes imply a deeper or more thorough understanding, or a grasp of the concept behind something. 'Mengerti' is more general.
Saya paham maksud Anda. (I understand your intention.) Saya mengerti instruksinya. (I understand the instructions.)
If you 'understand' something well, you might feel like you 'master' it. However, 'menguasai' goes beyond simple understanding.
'Menguasai' means 'to master' or 'to control'. It implies a high level of proficiency or command over a subject or skill, much more than just understanding it.
Dia menguasai tiga bahasa. (He masters three languages.) Saya mengerti bahasanya sedikit. (I understand the language a little.)
When you 'understand' something, you might also 'realize' it. The two concepts can seem connected.
'Menyadari' means 'to realize' or 'to be aware of'. It refers to becoming conscious of a fact or situation, often suddenly, rather than the act of comprehending information.
Saya menyadari kesalahan saya. (I realize my mistake.) Saya mengerti alasannya sekarang. (I understand the reason now.)
'Memahami' is the active form of 'paham' and also means 'to understand'. It creates confusion because of its similarity to 'mengerti'.
Like 'paham', 'memahami' often suggests a deeper or more complete understanding, grasping the nuances of a subject. 'Mengerti' is a more general term for comprehension.
Dia sulit memahami konsep ini. (He has difficulty understanding this concept.) Saya mengerti apa yang Anda katakan. (I understand what you are saying.)
Wortfamilie
Substantive
So verwendest du es
Mengerti is a versatile verb meaning to understand. It's often used in everyday conversations.
- Example: Saya mengerti. (I understand.)
- Example: Apakah kamu mengerti? (Do you understand?)
A common mistake is confusing 'mengerti' with 'paham'. While both mean 'to understand', 'paham' often implies a deeper comprehension or grasping of a concept. 'Mengerti' is more general.
- Incorrect: Saya paham bahasa Indonesia. (Unless you're truly fluent and grasp all nuances)
- Correct: Saya mengerti bahasa Indonesia sedikit. (I understand a little Indonesian.)
Tipps
Basic use of mengerti
The most common way to use mengerti is to simply state you understand something. For example, 'Saya mengerti' means 'I understand'.
Asking if someone understands
To ask someone if they understand, you can say 'Apakah kamu mengerti?' which translates to 'Do you understand?'
Using mengerti with objects
You can use mengerti with a direct object. For example, 'Saya mengerti pelajaran ini' means 'I understand this lesson'.
Negative form of mengerti
To say you don't understand, use 'tidak' before mengerti. So, 'Saya tidak mengerti' means 'I don't understand'.
Mengerti in questions with 'apa'
When asking what someone understands, you can use 'apa'. 'Apa yang kamu mengerti?' means 'What do you understand?'
Mengerti for comprehending situations
Mengerti can also be used to express understanding of a situation or concept, not just words. 'Saya mengerti situasinya' means 'I understand the situation'.
Mengerti vs. Paham
While 'mengerti' and 'paham' both mean to understand, 'paham' often implies a deeper comprehension. For A1, 'mengerti' is perfectly fine.
Practice with simple sentences
Try forming simple sentences with mengerti like: 'Dia mengerti' (He/She understands), 'Kami mengerti' (We understand).
Listen for mengerti in conversations
Pay attention to how native speakers use mengerti in everyday conversations. This will help you get a feel for its natural usage.
Don't be afraid to say 'tidak mengerti'
It's okay to admit if you don't understand something. Saying 'Saya tidak mengerti' is a polite way to ask for clarification.
Teste dich selbst 72 Fragen
Saya tidak ___ apa yang kamu katakan. (I don't ___ what you are saying.)
The sentence expresses a lack of understanding, so 'mengerti' (understand) is the correct verb.
Apakah kamu ___ bahasa Indonesia? (Do you ___ Indonesian?)
This question asks about the ability to understand a language, making 'mengerti' (understand) the right fit.
Dia selalu ___ saya ketika saya menjelaskan. (He always ___ me when I explain.)
The sentence implies that 'he' grasps the explanation, so 'mengerti' (understand) is appropriate.
Maaf, saya tidak ___ perintah itu. (Sorry, I don't ___ that command.)
To not be able to follow a command means not understanding it, hence 'mengerti' (understand).
Bisakah kamu ulangi? Saya tidak ___ sepenuhnya. (Can you repeat? I don't ___ completely.)
Asking for repetition suggests a lack of complete understanding, making 'mengerti' (understand) the correct choice.
Anak kecil itu tidak ___ pelajaran barunya. (The small child does not ___ his new lesson.)
Children often struggle to grasp new lessons, so 'mengerti' (understand) fits the context.
Saya tidak ___ apa yang kamu katakan.
The sentence means 'I don't understand what you are saying.' 'Mengerti' means 'to understand'.
Apakah kamu ___ bahasa Indonesia?
The question asks 'Do you understand Indonesian?'. 'Mengerti' is the correct verb for 'understand'.
Maaf, saya tidak ___.
This phrase means 'Sorry, I don't understand.'. 'Mengerti' is the appropriate word here.
Jika kamu 'mengerti', itu berarti kamu paham.
'Mengerti' means to understand, and 'paham' also means to understand or comprehend. So, if you 'mengerti', you 'paham'.
Saya tidak mengerti artinya saya paham.
'Saya tidak mengerti' means 'I don't understand', which is the opposite of 'saya paham' (I understand).
Mengerti adalah kata kerja untuk 'to eat'.
'Mengerti' means 'to understand'. The verb for 'to eat' is 'makan'.
Listen for 'I understand'.
Listen for 'Do you understand?'.
Listen for 'He/She does not understand'.
Read this aloud:
Mengerti?
Focus: Meng-er-tee
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
Saya mengerti sedikit.
Focus: Sa-ya meng-er-tee se-di-kit
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
Tolong bicara pelan-pelan supaya saya mengerti.
Focus: To-long bi-cha-ra pe-lan-pe-lan su-pa-ya sa-ya meng-er-tee
Du hast gesagt:
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This means 'Do you understand Indonesian?'
This means 'I don't understand.'
This means 'He/She understands a little.'
Pilihlah kalimat yang benar secara tata bahasa:
Kalimat deklaratif standar dalam bahasa Indonesia. Subjek-Predikat-Objek.
Jika seseorang berkata 'Saya tidak mengerti', apa artinya?
'Tidak' adalah negasi untuk kata kerja, berarti 'tidak' melakukan tindakan itu.
Mana yang benar untuk bertanya 'Apakah kamu mengerti?'
'Apakah' digunakan untuk membuat pertanyaan ya/tidak yang formal dan sopan.
Kata 'mengerti' bisa digunakan untuk menyatakan bahwa Anda memahami suatu pelajaran.
Ya, 'mengerti' sering digunakan dalam konteks akademik atau saat belajar.
'Apakah kamu tidak mengerti?' adalah cara yang benar untuk bertanya apakah seseorang tidak paham.
Ini adalah struktur pertanyaan negatif yang valid dan umum dalam bahasa Indonesia.
Jika Anda mengerti, Anda akan berkata 'Saya tidak mengerti'.
Jika Anda mengerti, Anda akan berkata 'Saya mengerti', bukan 'Saya tidak mengerti'.
Write a short sentence telling someone you understand them, using 'mengerti'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Saya mengerti kamu.
Write a question asking if someone understands, using 'mengerti'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Apakah Anda mengerti?
Describe a simple situation where you didn't understand something, using 'tidak mengerti'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Maaf, saya tidak mengerti kata itu.
Mengapa Andi bertanya kepada guru?
Read this passage:
Andi sedang belajar bahasa Inggris. Guru menjelaskan pelajaran, tetapi Andi masih tidak mengerti beberapa kosakata baru. Dia bertanya kepada guru, "Maaf, bisakah Anda ulangi? Saya tidak mengerti." Guru kemudian menjelaskan lagi dengan contoh yang lebih sederhana.
Mengapa Andi bertanya kepada guru?
Andi bertanya kepada guru karena dia 'tidak mengerti beberapa kosakata baru'.
Andi bertanya kepada guru karena dia 'tidak mengerti beberapa kosakata baru'.
Apa yang Siti mengerti setelah Budi berbicara?
Read this passage:
Budi dan Siti berbicara tentang rencana liburan. Budi berkata, "Kita akan pergi ke Bali minggu depan." Siti menjawab, "Oh, saya mengerti. Jadi kita perlu menyiapkan baju renang." Mereka berdua senang.
Apa yang Siti mengerti setelah Budi berbicara?
Siti berkata, 'Oh, saya mengerti. Jadi kita perlu menyiapkan baju renang.'
Siti berkata, 'Oh, saya mengerti. Jadi kita perlu menyiapkan baju renang.'
Apa yang pasien mengerti?
Read this passage:
Dokter menjelaskan resep obat kepada pasien. Pasien mendengarkan dengan seksama dan kemudian berkata, "Terima kasih, Dokter. Saya sudah mengerti bagaimana cara minum obat ini." Dokter tersenyum dan berharap pasien cepat sembuh.
Apa yang pasien mengerti?
Pasien berkata, 'Saya sudah mengerti bagaimana cara minum obat ini.'
Pasien berkata, 'Saya sudah mengerti bagaimana cara minum obat ini.'
This forms a basic question: 'Do you understand me?' 'Apakah' is used to start a yes/no question. 'Kamu' is 'you', 'mengerti' is 'understand', and 'saya' is 'me'.
This translates to: 'He/She does not understand Indonesian.' 'Dia' is 'he/she', 'tidak' is 'not' (for verbs), 'mengerti' is 'understand', and 'bahasa Indonesia' is 'Indonesian language'.
This means: 'I understand a little of what you said.' 'Saya' is 'I', 'sedikit' is 'a little', 'mengerti' is 'understand', 'apa yang' is 'what' (connecting to the next clause), 'kamu' is 'you', and 'bilang' is 'say/said'.
Pilihlah kalimat yang paling tepat menggunakan kata 'mengerti' dalam konteks percakapan sehari-hari.
'Mengerti' lebih sering digunakan untuk memahami konsep, perasaan, atau situasi, bukan objek fisik seperti buku, meja, atau air. Pilihan 'Saya mengerti perasaannya' paling tepat karena menunjukkan pemahaman emosional.
Dalam situasi di mana seseorang menjelaskan topik yang kompleks, kalimat mana yang paling sesuai untuk menanyakan apakah mereka memahami?
Pertanyaan ini secara langsung menanyakan tentang pemahaman (mengerti) terhadap penjelasan yang telah diberikan. Pilihan lainnya tidak relevan dengan konteks pemahaman.
Ketika Anda merasa tidak mengerti sesuatu yang dikatakan orang lain, bagaimana cara paling sopan untuk mengungkapkannya?
Pilihan 'Saya tidak mengerti' adalah cara yang paling langsung dan sopan untuk menyatakan kurangnya pemahaman. Pilihan lainnya tidak relevan atau kurang tepat dalam konteks ini.
Kata 'mengerti' selalu bisa diganti dengan 'paham' dalam semua konteks kalimat.
Meskipun 'mengerti' dan 'paham' seringkali dapat digunakan secara bergantian, ada nuansa kecil. 'Paham' kadang bisa lebih kuat dalam arti pemahaman yang mendalam atau penguasaan. Misalnya, 'Dia paham betul masalah ini' mungkin terdengar lebih kuat daripada 'Dia mengerti betul masalah ini'. Jadi, tidak selalu bisa diganti dalam semua konteks.
Jika seseorang mengatakan 'Saya tidak mengerti bahasa Inggris Anda', itu berarti dia tidak bisa berbahasa Inggris sama sekali.
Kalimat 'Saya tidak mengerti bahasa Inggris Anda' berarti orang tersebut tidak memahami apa yang Anda katakan dalam bahasa Inggris pada saat itu, bukan berarti dia tidak bisa berbahasa Inggris sama sekali. Mungkin karena aksen, kecepatan bicara, atau kosakata yang digunakan.
Dalam kalimat 'Saya mengerti mengapa kamu marah', 'mengerti' digunakan untuk menyatakan pemahaman terhadap alasan atau penyebab.
Betul. Dalam kalimat ini, 'mengerti' merujuk pada pemahaman terhadap alasan di balik kemarahan seseorang, bukan pemahaman terhadap suatu objek atau fakta sederhana.
The speaker is asking for a more detailed explanation.
The speaker is having trouble grasping the core issue.
The speaker understands the difficulty of a decision but emphasizes acceptance.
Read this aloud:
Apakah Anda mengerti mengapa perubahan ini penting untuk kemajuan perusahaan?
Focus: mengerti, penting, kemajuan
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
Bisakah Anda menjelaskan kembali, saya kurang mengerti bagian itu?
Focus: menjelaskan kembali, kurang mengerti
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
Setelah membaca laporan itu, saya jadi lebih mengerti situasinya.
Focus: setelah membaca, lebih mengerti
Du hast gesagt:
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Meskipun dosen telah menjelaskan materi berkali-kali, saya masih belum sepenuhnya ___ konsep fisika kuantum itu.
Dalam konteks ini, 'mengerti' paling tepat untuk menyatakan pemahaman terhadap sebuah konsep atau materi pelajaran, meskipun 'memahami' juga bisa digunakan namun 'mengerti' lebih umum untuk level pemahaman pribadi.
Setelah berjam-jam mencoba memecahkan teka-teki silang itu, akhirnya saya ___ maksud petunjuk yang diberikan.
'Mengerti' adalah pilihan terbaik di sini karena menunjukkan bahwa pembicara akhirnya memahami arti atau makna petunjuk.
Dia seringkali berbicara dengan metafora yang kompleks, sehingga tidak semua orang bisa ___ apa yang ingin disampaikannya.
Untuk memahami maksud atau pesan yang disampaikan, 'mengerti' adalah kata yang paling sesuai.
Saya tidak tahu mengapa dia marah, saya benar-benar tidak ___ apa yang telah saya lakukan salah.
Di sini, 'mengerti' digunakan untuk menunjukkan kurangnya pemahaman tentang alasan kemarahan seseorang atau kesalahan yang telah dilakukan.
Untuk bisa bekerja sama dengan baik dalam tim, penting bagi setiap anggota untuk saling ___ posisi dan tanggung jawab masing-masing.
Dalam konteks kerjasama tim, 'mengerti' berarti memahami peran dan tanggung jawab anggota lain.
Orang tua seringkali kesulitan untuk ___ pola pikir generasi muda yang sangat berbeda dengan zaman mereka.
'Mengerti' di sini berarti memahami cara berpikir atau pandangan hidup generasi muda.
This sentence structure (Subject + 'mungkin tidak' + Verb + Object + Adverb) is common in Indonesian for expressing doubt or possibility. 'Sepenuhnya' (fully) acts as an adverb modifying 'mengerti'.
Starting with 'Penting untuk...' (It is important to...) is a common way to express necessity. The phrase 'implikasi dari keputusan strategis perusahaan' (implications of the company's strategic decisions) functions as the object of 'mengerti'.
Here, 'dimengerti' (understood) is used in the passive voice, which is appropriate as 'nuansa budaya' (cultural nuances) is the object being understood. The phrase 'bagi orang asing' (for foreigners) specifies who finds it difficult.
This sentence structure is common for asking how someone understands a complex situation, placing the 'how' (bagaimana) at the beginning for emphasis, followed by the subject, verb, and object.
This sentence follows a standard negative sentence structure in Indonesian: Subject + 'tidak' (not) + Verb + Object. 'Implikasi penuh' (full implications) acts as the object of 'mengerti' (understand).
The phrase 'Untuk sepenuhnya mengerti...' (To fully understand...) is a common way to introduce a condition or purpose. The second clause 'kita perlu penelitian lebih lanjut' (we need further research) states the consequence or requirement.
/ 72 correct
Perfect score!
Basic use of mengerti
The most common way to use mengerti is to simply state you understand something. For example, 'Saya mengerti' means 'I understand'.
Asking if someone understands
To ask someone if they understand, you can say 'Apakah kamu mengerti?' which translates to 'Do you understand?'
Using mengerti with objects
You can use mengerti with a direct object. For example, 'Saya mengerti pelajaran ini' means 'I understand this lesson'.
Negative form of mengerti
To say you don't understand, use 'tidak' before mengerti. So, 'Saya tidak mengerti' means 'I don't understand'.