The answer to “Did you understand?” is “Yes, I understood.” The correct answer to “Do you understand?” is “Yes, I understand.” I think the reason for this question, and any confusion around this matter, may have to do with the way we construct questions in English.

Can I reply understood?

You might be used to replying “understood”, but that is about as normal to English speakers as “got it”. There’s many ways of saying that you understand an explanation, but for most of us they begin “I …” – “I understand”, “I see”, ‘I’ve got that”, “I get it”, “I see what you mean” are examples.

Is it rude to say I understand?

On the face of it, the statement “I understand” is the perfect expression of empathy. Unlike Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen’s character in the sitcom), we usually mean it. We are sincere when we say it, so for me to suggest that ‘I understand’ is arrogant may sound insulting.

Is it okay to say do you understand?

Both are correct. “Do you understand?” Is a question about understanding in the present. “Did you understand?” is a question about understanding something (both the thing when it happened and the understanding at that time) in the past.

How do you say do you understand?

What are some alternative ways of saying “Do you understand me?”

1. Am I getting my point across?
2. Are you following me?
3. Are you with me on this?
4. Did I explain that well?
5. Dig? = Understand?
6. Does that make any sense?
7. Does that sound okay to you?
8. Don’t you see?

What is a synonym for better understanding?

A greater level of understanding. awareness. insight. discernment. recognition.

Is it polite to say understood?

Often the best way to indicate that you have understood is to summarize in one sentence what your understanding will lead you to do next. e.g., “I understand. I will get back to you with the revisions you requested by Monday.”