You are an expert researcher on the Japanese language. The Japanese word āunderstandingā seems to be translated as agreement or understanding in English. However, I feel that āagreementā is āagreementā and āunderstandingā is āunderstandingā and both mean different things from āunderstandingā. Please explain the difference in nuance between the three words āagreement,ā āagreement,ā and āunderstandingā in Japanese.
Indeed, the Japanese words āagree,ā āconsensus,ā and āunderstandingā may refer to similar concepts, but each has different nuances.
- The word āagreeā refers to the state in which, after receiving an explanation or information, one is convinced of its content, i.e., one feels āI see then. It is often felt inwardly as āI see, I am convinced.
- An āagreementā is when two or more people agree on the same idea, opinion, or plan. This is primarily an extroverted action, often accompanied by an explicit āunderstandingā or āagreement.
- Comprehension refers to a knowledgeable grasp of something, or a deeper grasp of the meaning of something. In this state, there is a deepened awareness of the information or situation, but not necessarily a conviction or agreement. The English words āagreementā and āunderstandingā are often translated as āagreementā and āunderstanding,ā respectively, but there may not be a complete word for āunderstandingā in English that expresses the nuances of the word. It is necessary to choose the appropriate expression for each context.
I see, AGREEMENT is supposed to be interaction of multiple people, while CONFIRMATION and UNDERSTANDING are not person-to-person interactions. Focus on the difference between these two.
Indeed, āconvictionā and āunderstandingā are terms that refer primarily to changes within the individual, but the differences include the following.
- Convincing: This word refers to the state of being āconvincedā of some specific information or situation, i.e., the state of having an āaha, so thatās what it isā in oneās mind. This state is often achieved when newly acquired information matches existing knowledge or values, or vice versa, when question or uncomfortable feeling is resolved.
- Understanding: This is simply knowing information or grasping a complex concept or situation. However, having āunderstandingā does not necessarily mean having āconviction. For example, we may understand someoneās position or way of thinking, but not necessarily agree with it. Conviction is often accompanied by a kind of ācomfortā or ārelief,ā a sense of inner conviction. In contrast, āunderstandingā is a more neutral state, itself independent of any particular emotion or evaluation.
Make an example sentence that highlights the difference between the two. Of course, below are typical example sentences in which each word is used.
- understanding
- His explanation finally made sense to me.ā
- In this statement, it refers to the state of feeling in oneās mind after receiving an explanation, āI see, thatās what you meant.
- understanding
- I understand his position, but Iām not convinced by it.ā
- In this sentence, the person expresses a state of being able to understand the other personās position or opinion, but not being inwardly convinced of it.
In the example of āunderstanding,ā the mind is calmed by some specific information or explanation. On the other hand, the example of āunderstandingā indicates that the other personās position or idea can be understood in the head, but the emotion or evaluation (in this case, conviction) of it does not necessarily match.
The convinced side understands and it fits with my thoughts and values and itās comfortable. Yes, that is correct. Convincingā refers to the state of being at peace with understanding and having that information or situation match oneās own thoughts and values, or having oneās doubts or discomfort resolved. The result is often a feeling of ācomfortā or ārelief.
relevance - The nuanced differences between āautonomy,ā āself-discipline,ā and āinitiative.ā - Difference in nuance between āvoluntary,ā āindependent,ā and āproactive.ā
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