お分かりいただけましたか？
owakari itadakemashita ka?
Did you understand?
Phrase in 30 Seconds
A highly polite way to ask 'Did you understand?' without sounding condescending in professional Japanese settings.
- Means: 'Was I able to receive the favor of your understanding?'
- Used in: Business presentations, customer service, and explaining complex instructions to superiors.
- Don't confuse: Never use with close friends; it sounds cold or sarcastically robotic.
Explanation at your level:
Meaning
A polite way to check if the listener has understood.
Cultural Background
In Japanese business, 'understanding' is not just cognitive; it's social. Asking this phrase shows you respect the other person's time and status. The 'Omotenashi' spirit uses this phrase to ensure the guest feels cared for and never confused. While teachers use it, it's more common in adult education or high-level seminars than in elementary schools. Professionals use this to ensure 'Informed Consent' (setsumei to doui) is properly established.
The 'Deshou ka' Upgrade
If you want to sound like a CEO or a top-tier diplomat, use '{お分かり|おわかり}いただけましたでしょうか？'. It's the ultimate level of politeness.
Don't Overuse
If you say this after every single sentence, you will sound like a broken robot. Use it only at major transition points.
Meaning
A polite way to check if the listener has understood.
The 'Deshou ka' Upgrade
If you want to sound like a CEO or a top-tier diplomat, use '{お分かり|おわかり}いただけましたでしょうか？'. It's the ultimate level of politeness.
Don't Overuse
If you say this after every single sentence, you will sound like a broken robot. Use it only at major transition points.
Watch the Body Language
Always give a slight bow (ojigi) when saying this to a superior. The physical action reinforces the humble grammar.
Test Yourself
Complete the formal question.
{説明|せつめい}の{内容|ないよう}は、お____いただけましたか？
The pattern is 'O + Stem + Itadaku'. The stem of '{分|わ}かる' is '{分|わ}かり'.
Which phrase is most appropriate for a client after a presentation?
Which one should you use?
This is the most professional and respectful choice for a client.
Fill in the missing line in this business dialogue.
Staff: {新|あたら}しいパスワードの{設定方法|せっていほうほう}ですが... (explains) ... ____? Customer: はい、よく{分|わ}かりました。
In a customer service context, this phrase is the standard way to check comprehension.
Match the phrase to the correct social distance.
Match: 1. {分|わ}かった？ 2. {お分かり|おわかり}いただけましたか？
Informal for friends, formal for superiors.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it is very appropriate for a student to use with a teacher when explaining something or checking if their question was clear.
'O-wakari' is slightly softer and more native Japanese (Yamato Kotoba), while 'Go-rikai' is more formal and academic (Kango).
Absolutely. It is very common in the concluding part of a formal email after providing an explanation.
Only if used with friends or in a situation where the answer is extremely obvious. In professional settings, it is never sarcastic.
You should reply with '{はい、よく分かりました|はい、よくわかりました}' or '{はい、理解いたしました|はい、りかいいたしました}'.
No, that is Sonkeigo (respectful). '{お分かり|おわかり}いただけましたか' is Kenjougo (humble). The humble version is usually preferred for checking your own explanation.
It might be a bit too formal. 'Wakarimashita ka?' is usually enough for a stranger.
Yes, usually by butler characters, villains who are being mockingly polite, or professional characters like doctors.
This is the perfect phrase to use. It opens the door for them to say 'Actually, could you repeat that?' without feeling embarrassed.
'Itadakemashita' (potential) is better because it asks 'Were you *able* to understand?', which is softer than 'Did you understand?'.
Related Phrases
{ご理解|ごりかい}いただけましたか？
synonymDid you understand? (Slightly more formal/stiff)
{納得|なっとく}いただけましたか？
similarAre you satisfied/convinced?
{意味|いみ}、{通|つう}じましたか？
similarDid my meaning get across?
{分|わ}かりましたか？
specialized formDid you understand?
Where to Use It
Ending a Business Presentation
Presenter: {以上|いじょう}で{説明|せつめい}を{終|お}わります。{お分かり|おわかり}いただけましたか？
Client: はい、よく{分|わ}かりました。ありがとうございます。
Explaining a Contract
Agent: こちらの{免責事項|めんせきじこう}について、{お分かり|おわかり}いただけましたか？
Customer: ええ、{大丈夫|だいじょうぶ}です。
Technical Support Call
Support: {再起動|さいきどう}のやり{方|かた}は{お分かり|おわかり}いただけましたか？
User: すみません、もう{一度|いちど}お{願|ねが}いします。
Doctor's Consultation
Doctor: {薬|くすり}の{副作用|ふくさよう}について、{お分かり|おわかり}いただけましたか？
Patient: はい、{気|き}をつけます。
Hotel Check-in
Staff: {朝食|ちょうしょく}の{会場|かいじょう}は{お分かり|おわかり}いただけましたか？
Guest: はい、２{階|かい}ですね。
Job Interview (Interviewer)
Interviewer: {弊社|へいしゃ}の{業務内容|ぎょうむないよう}は{お分かり|おわかり}いただけましたか？
Candidate: はい、{魅力|みりょく}を{感|かん}じております。
Teaching a Workshop
Instructor: ここまでの{工程|こうてい}は{お分かり|おわかり}いただけましたか？
Student: はい、ついていけています。
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'O-Wakari' as 'Oh, I carry' the burden of your understanding.
Visual Association
Imagine a waiter (the speaker) holding a silver platter. On the platter is the word 'Understanding'. The waiter is asking the customer (the listener) if they have 'received' it yet.
Rhyme
In a suit and tie, give it a try: O-wakari itadakemashita ka? Don't be shy!
Story
You are a humble apprentice in a Japanese tea house. You explain the complex history of a tea bowl to a famous lord. You don't want to sound like you're teaching him, so you bow and ask if you were 'able to receive the favor of his understanding'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to explain a simple concept (like how to make toast) to an imaginary CEO using this phrase at the end.
In Other Languages
Does that make sense?
English focuses on the logic of the statement; Japanese focuses on the social relationship.
¿Me he explicado bien?
Spanish uses a direct reflexive 'myself', while Japanese uses a complex 'receiving a favor' auxiliary.
Est-ce que c'est clair ?
French is more objective; Japanese is more interpersonal.
Haben Sie das verstanden?
German is direct and functional; Japanese is indirect and social.
هل وضحت الصورة؟ (Hal waduhat al-surah?)
Arabic uses visual metaphors; Japanese uses social hierarchy verbs.
您明白了吗？ (Nín míngbai le ma?)
Chinese relies on pronouns for respect; Japanese relies on verb auxiliaries.
이해가 되셨나요? (Ihaega doesyeonnayo?)
Korean often uses the passive 'to become', while Japanese uses the humble 'to receive'.
Ficou claro?
Portuguese is more casual in its structure than the rigid Japanese Keigo.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up the causative 'make someone understand' with the humble 'receive understanding'.
Remember 'itadaku' always means YOU are receiving something good.
Learners use 'know' when they mean 'understand'.
'Shitte imasu' is about having information; 'Wakaru' is about comprehending logic.
FAQ (10)
Yes, it is very appropriate for a student to use with a teacher when explaining something or checking if their question was clear.
'O-wakari' is slightly softer and more native Japanese (Yamato Kotoba), while 'Go-rikai' is more formal and academic (Kango).
Absolutely. It is very common in the concluding part of a formal email after providing an explanation.
Only if used with friends or in a situation where the answer is extremely obvious. In professional settings, it is never sarcastic.
You should reply with '{はい、よく分かりました|はい、よくわかりました}' or '{はい、理解いたしました|はい、りかいいたしました}'.
No, that is Sonkeigo (respectful). '{お分かり|おわかり}いただけましたか' is Kenjougo (humble). The humble version is usually preferred for checking your own explanation.
It might be a bit too formal. 'Wakarimashita ka?' is usually enough for a stranger.
Yes, usually by butler characters, villains who are being mockingly polite, or professional characters like doctors.
This is the perfect phrase to use. It opens the door for them to say 'Actually, could you repeat that?' without feeling embarrassed.
'Itadakemashita' (potential) is better because it asks 'Were you *able* to understand?', which is softer than 'Did you understand?'.
