懂得 dǒng de
“to understand; to know; to comprehend”
verb2021 list level 2
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
懂得 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 602: 懂得 dǒngde — Level 3; official annotation 3 (动). PDF page 95
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 懂得
懂得 means "to understand, to grasp" something abstract — a principle, a feeling, or the importance of something. It is followed by a noun phrase or a clause (懂得这个道理, 懂得要努力学习), and it is more formal than plain 懂.
例句Example sentences
- 他很小就懂得要照顾妹妹。tā hěn xiǎo jiù dǒng de yào zhào gù mèi mei.Even at a young age he understood that he had to look after his younger sister.
- 读书能让人懂得很多道理。dú shū néng ràng rén dǒng de hěn duō dào lǐ.Reading can help people understand many principles.
- 我现在才懂得父母的心。wǒ xiàn zài cái dǒng de fù mǔ de xīn.Only now do I understand my parents' feelings.
易混词Easily confused
懂得vs知道
知道 means to know a fact or piece of information (知道他的名字). 懂得 means to understand the meaning or reason behind something, so it takes abstract objects like 道理, 重要性, 父母的心.