interjection N3 common casualpolitewritten
なるほど — I see / indeed
なるほど
Meaning
- I see / indeed / that makes sense — acknowledges that you now understand or agree with what was just said
Key sentence
なるほど、そういうことか。
I see — so that's how it is.
Usage
A response token showing you've grasped or are convinced by what was just said. Fine among equals and downward, but toward a superior it can sound slightly evaluative ('I'll grant you're right'), so 勉強になります or おっしゃる通りです is safer.
Examples
「ここを押すと開きます。」「なるほど。」
"Press here and it opens." "Ah, I see."
なるほど、確かに君の言う通りだ。
Indeed — you're quite right.
Notes
- なるほどね is softer and more casual. Because plain なるほど can sound like you're grading the speaker, avoid it with superiors in favour of おっしゃる通りです or 勉強になります.
See なるほど in real sentences
Jengo shows なるほど the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled with reference to A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar.