懂 dǒng , 明白 míngbai , 理解 lǐjiě

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All three mean 'understand', but with different usage nuances[cite: 1299].

懂 (dǒng) : To grasp the meaning or have knowledge/skill.
[cite_start]懂法语 (dǒng Fǎyǔ) (know French), 懂技术 (dǒng jìshù) (be good at technology)[cite: 1312].

明白 (míngbai) : To fully grasp the reality of something. [cite_start]Also means 'clear'[cite: 1314, 1318].
[cite_start]说得更明白些 (shuō de gèng míngbai xiē) (express yourself more clearly)[cite: 1320].

理解 (lǐjiě) : Intellectual or rational comprehension. [cite_start]It can be modified by a degree adverb[cite: 1306, 1307].
[cite_start]非常理解 (fēicháng lǐjiě) (comprehend perfectly)[cite: 1309].

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Note technical : dǒng and míngbai can be resultative verbs (ex: 听得懂 (tīng de dǒng)), while lǐjiě is always the main verb[cite: 1303].

Nuance exercises