Explanation at your level:
You use this word when you help someone learn. If your friend does not know a word, you explain it. You make them understand. It is like being a teacher for a moment.
This is a useful verb for school or work. When you have a good idea, you want others to know it. You explain your idea to them. You are 이해시키다-ing them.
At this level, you start using it to describe social interactions. It is not just about facts; it is about feelings. You might need to make your parents understand why you want to travel alone. It shows you are trying to communicate effectively.
You use this in professional contexts. During a meeting, you might need to make your colleagues understand a complex project. It implies that you have a clear grasp of the material and are able to simplify it for others.
In advanced usage, it touches on persuasion. It is not just about clarity, but about changing someone's perspective. You are not just explaining; you are guiding their logic to match yours. It is a subtle tool in negotiation and rhetoric.
Mastery of this word involves understanding the nuance of authority. Using this word implies a slight power dynamic where the speaker holds the knowledge. It is used in academic papers or literary critiques to describe how an author makes a complex theme accessible to the reader.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Causative verb meaning to make someone understand.
- Essential for clear communication.
- Common in business and school.
- Derived from '이해' (understanding).
The word 이해시키다 is a powerhouse in Korean communication. It is a causative verb formed by adding the suffix '-시키다' to the root '이해' (understanding). Essentially, it means you are making someone understand.
Think of it as the difference between 'knowing' and 'teaching.' When you use this word, you are taking responsibility for the other person's clarity. It is very common in professional settings, like when a manager explains a new policy to staff, or in daily life when you are trying to convince a friend of your perspective.
The core of the word is 이해 (理解), which is a Sino-Korean word. '이' (理) means logic or reason, and '해' (解) means to untie or solve. Therefore, '이해' literally means 'to untie the logic' of a situation.
By adding -시키다, which is a causative suffix derived from the verb '하다' (to do), the language creates a structure that forces the action onto another person. This evolution reflects the Korean language's highly logical way of building causative verbs, allowing speakers to distinguish clearly between 'I understand' and 'I make others understand.'
You use 이해시키다 when you want to emphasize the effort put into making someone grasp a concept. It is frequently paired with phrases like '상대방을 이해시키다' (to make the other person understand) or '설득하여 이해시키다' (to persuade and make understand).
In terms of register, it is a standard, neutral verb. It is perfectly acceptable in both business meetings and casual conversations. However, be careful not to sound too arrogant; sometimes, if you say '내가 너를 이해시킬게,' it might sound a bit condescending, as if you are assuming the other person is incapable of understanding on their own.
While there aren't many fixed idioms, there are common collocations. 1. 말귀를 알아듣게 하다 (to make someone understand the point). 2. 설득에 실패하다 (to fail to make them understand). 3. 눈높이를 맞추다 (to adjust one's level to make them understand). 4. 설명해도 이해가 안 가다 (even if explained, they don't get it). 5. 이해시키기 어렵다 (hard to make understand).
Grammatically, 이해시키다 is a transitive verb. It typically takes an object marked with '-를/을' (the person being made to understand). For example: '나는 그에게 상황을 이해시켰다' (I made him understand the situation).
Pronunciation-wise, pay attention to the '시' sound. It is a sharp 's' sound. The word flows as i-hae-si-ki-da. It rhymes with other causative verbs like '납득시키다' (to make someone accept/convince) or '공부시키다' (to make someone study).
Fun Fact
The suffix -시키다 is one of the most productive suffixes in Korean.
Pronunciation Guide
Crisp syllables.
Clear articulation of the 'si' sound.
Common Errors
- Softening the 's' too much
- Dropping the 'i' in 'ki'
- Misplacing the stress
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Standard vocabulary.
Needs correct object marking.
Clear pronunciation needed.
Common in speech.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Causative Verbs
먹다 -> 먹이다
Object Particles
를/을
Sino-Korean Words
이해
Examples by Level
선생님이 학생을 이해시켰어요.
Teacher made student understand.
Causative structure.
나는 친구를 이해시켰다.
I made my friend understand.
Simple past.
그것을 이해시키기 어려워요.
It is hard to make them understand.
Adjective ending.
다시 이해시켜 주세요.
Please make me understand again.
Polite request.
그는 나를 이해시켰다.
He made me understand.
Subject-Object.
이해시키고 싶어요.
I want to make them understand.
Desire form.
어떻게 이해시킬까요?
How should I make them understand?
Question form.
잘 이해시켰어요.
I made them understand well.
Adverb usage.
8 examples
8 examples
8 examples
8 examples
8 examples
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"말귀를 알아듣게 하다"
To make someone understand the point.
그에게 말귀를 알아듣게 하느라 힘들었다.
casual"눈높이를 맞추다"
To adjust to the listener's level.
아이의 눈높이를 맞추어 이해시켰다.
neutral"귀에 못이 박히도록 말하다"
To repeat until they understand.
귀에 못이 박히도록 말해서 이해시켰다.
casual"무릎을 치게 하다"
To make someone have an 'aha!' moment.
그의 설명은 나를 무릎 치게 했다.
literary"설득의 달인"
Master of persuasion.
그는 이해시키기의 달인이다.
casual"벽에 대고 말하다"
Trying to explain to someone who won't listen.
그를 이해시키는 건 벽에 대고 말하기와 같다.
casualEasily Confused
Same base word.
To understand vs to make understand.
나는 이해한다 vs 나는 그를 이해시킨다.
Both involve communication.
To explain vs to make understand.
나는 설명한다 vs 나는 이해시킨다.
Both are causative.
To convince vs to clarify.
논리로 납득시키다 vs 상황을 이해시키다.
Both involve teaching.
To teach vs to make understand.
영어를 가르치다 vs 내용을 이해시키다.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + Object + 를 + 이해시키다
그는 나를 이해시켰다.
Subject + Adverb + Object + 를 + 이해시키다
나는 그에게 쉽게 이해시켰다.
Subject + Object + 를 + 설득하여 + 이해시키다
나는 그를 설득하여 이해시켰다.
Subject + 상황을 + 이해시키려고 + 노력하다
상황을 이해시키려고 노력했다.
Subject + 내용을 + 차근차근 + 이해시키다
내용을 차근차근 이해시켰다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
The causative suffix -시키다 is already built-in.
While grammatically okay, it is more natural to use the compound verb directly.
이해시키다 means 'make someone understand', not 'understand someone'.
One is hard to explain, one is hard to grasp.
Using it too much sounds pushy.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a lightbulb above a friend's head.
Native Context
Use it when you are the 'expert' in the conversation.
Cultural Insight
It reflects the importance of clear communication in Korea.
Grammar Shortcut
Look for the -시키다 suffix.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'si' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't confuse it with 'understand'.
Did You Know?
It is a Sino-Korean compound.
Study Smart
Pair it with '설득' (persuasion).
Memorize It
Mnemonic
E-Hae-Si-Ki-Da: 'E' (Easy) 'Hae' (Have) 'Si-Ki-Da' (See it)
Visual Association
A lightbulb turning on above someone's head.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to explain a hobby to a friend in 3 sentences.
Word Origin
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: To untie logic
Cultural Context
Avoid using it with superiors as it can sound like you are lecturing them.
Similar to 'make someone see' or 'get through to someone'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- 프로젝트를 이해시키다
- 정책을 이해시키다
- 상황을 이해시키다
at school
- 개념을 이해시키다
- 문제를 이해시키다
- 방법을 이해시키다
daily life
- 내 마음을 이해시키다
- 이유를 이해시키다
- 상황을 이해시키다
negotiation
- 논리를 이해시키다
- 필요성을 이해시키다
- 결과를 이해시키다
Conversation Starters
"어떻게 그 친구를 이해시켰어요?"
"이 개념을 남에게 이해시키는 건 어려워요."
"그를 이해시키려고 노력해 본 적 있나요?"
"상황을 설명하는 것과 이해시키는 것의 차이는 무엇일까요?"
"어떤 방법으로 사람들을 이해시키나요?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you had to make someone understand a difficult topic.
Describe a person who is very good at making others understand.
Why is it sometimes hard to make people understand our feelings?
Reflect on a time you failed to make someone understand.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, one is to understand, the other is to make someone understand.
Use it carefully; it can sound like you are teaching them.
It is neutral and standard.
이해 (Understanding).
When you want to sound humble.
이해되다 (to be understood).
Yes, very common in essays.
Yes, to make someone understand your feelings.
Test Yourself
선생님이 학생을 ___.
The teacher made the student understand.
Which means 'to make someone understand'?
이해시키다 is the causative form.
이해시키다 means 'I understand'.
It means 'to make someone else understand'.
Word
Meaning
Causative vs base verb.
Subject-Object-Object-Verb.
Score: /5
Summary
이해시키다 is the bridge between your knowledge and someone else's understanding.
- Causative verb meaning to make someone understand.
- Essential for clear communication.
- Common in business and school.
- Derived from '이해' (understanding).
Memory Palace
Imagine a lightbulb above a friend's head.
Native Context
Use it when you are the 'expert' in the conversation.
Cultural Insight
It reflects the importance of clear communication in Korea.
Grammar Shortcut
Look for the -시키다 suffix.
Related Content
More academic words
입체적
B2Having a three-dimensional effect or examining something from multiple perspectives rather than a single flat view. It implies a comprehensive and detailed analysis.
~에 관해
B1About, concerning.
~에 대하여
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
~대해
A2About; concerning; regarding.
~에 관하여
A2Regarding, concerning, about (a topic).
~에 대해(서)
A1Indicates the topic or subject of discussion, meaning 'about' or 'regarding'.
무엇보다
A2More than anything else; above all.
결석생
A2A student who is absent from class.
추상화하다
B2To consider something theoretically or separately from its physical reality. It involves extracting general principles from specific examples.
추상
A2Abstraction; the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.
