わかりました

You use this phrase after receiving instructions or a piece of news. It is the past tense form of the verb わかる (to understand). In Japanese, you use the past tense because the act of understanding just happened. Just say it clearly with a small nod. It works perfectly as a standalone sentence. You don't need to add anything else to be polite.

Use it at a restaurant when the waiter explains the daily special. Use it at work when your boss tells you a deadline. It’s great when a stranger gives you directions to the station. Even when texting, it’s a standard way to acknowledge a plan. If a friend tells you 'Meet at 5 PM,' this is your perfect reply. It keeps the conversation flowing smoothly.

Don't use it if you are actually confused. That leads to awkward stares later! Also, avoid using it with very close friends in a casual setting. It might sound a bit too stiff or robotic there. For your besties, use わかった. In very high-stakes business meetings, it might feel a bit too basic. Superiors sometimes expect the more humble 承知いたしました. But for 90% of daily life, わかりました is your best friend.

Japanese culture highly values 'Aun no kokyu' or being in sync. Saying わかりました is a way to maintain harmony. It signals that there is no friction in communication. It’s more than just logic; it’s about social glue. By saying it, you’re telling the other person, 'I respect your input.' It’s a verbal handshake that closes a loop of information. In Japan, silence can be confusing, so this phrase provides necessary feedback.

The most common variation is the casual わかった. You’ll hear this in anime and between siblings constantly. Then there is the question form: わかりましたか？ which means 'Did you understand?' Be careful with that one; it can sound a bit like a teacher scolding a student. Another variation is よくわかりました, meaning 'I understood very well.' This adds a nice touch of enthusiasm to your acknowledgement.