difference between 了解 and 瞭解?

[Rhuang]

Both these phrases mean "to understand" according to google translate. Are they used in different ways or.....?(they even sound the same)

[stapler]

here 瞭 is a variant character of 了. It's an older form and you don't see it used too often any more. You'll find many characters have older variants which aren't used too much any more. For example using 甚 for 什, 罷 for 吧.

[Rhuang]

Okay good to know. thanks!

[Johnchao222]

traditional chinese ：瞭解    and simplified chinese：了解。  they are the same meaning in two way of writing. Normaly the simplified is widely used in mainland, the traditional is used in Hongkong, Maco, Taiwan.    

[skylee]

traditional chinese ：瞭解 and simplified chinese：了解。

I used to think so (because it is a convenient explanation) but some years ago I had to vet translation of reports and also proofread them. 了解 frequently appeared in the reports I worked on. So I have looked up dictionaries, and they don't support the quote above.

Let's take a look at the Taiwan MOE Dictionary (bear in mind that the traditional script is used in Taiwan).

了解 - https://www.moedict.tw/%E4%BA%86%E8%A7%A3

瞭解 - https://www.moedict.tw/%E7%9E%AD%E8%A7%A3

Also, the Lin Yutang Dictionary (an old dictionary maintained by the CHUK in HK, where the traditional script is used) lists 了解 only.

PS - After some study, my conclusion back then was that 瞭解 was not correct or at least not a term that I would want in my reports. So I chose 了解. And in Hong Kong, of course we use the traditional script.

[skylee]

Also take a look at the document below (see bottom of page 9). It is a Taiwan government document.

http://www.most.gov.tw/sci/public/Attachment/53611281571.doc

[etm001]

 

 

traditional chinese ：瞭解    and simplified chinese：了解。  they are the same meaning in two way of writing. Normaly the simplified is widely used in mainland, the traditional is used in Hongkong, Maco, Taiwan.  

 

@skylee said:

 

 

I used to think so (because it is a convenient explanation) but some years ago I had to vet translation of reports and also proofread them. 了解 frequently appeared in the reports I worked on. So I have looked up dictionaries, and they don't support the quote above.

 

I believe you are commenting on the last part of @Johnchao222's reply: "...the traditional is used in Hongkong, Maco, Taiwan." Is this correct? To clarify, you are saying that 了解 is more common than 瞭解 in Taiwan? If this is your meaning, then I agree with you. If this is not your meaning, then could you clarify?

 

 

 

After some study, my conclusion back then was that 瞭解 was not correct or at least not a term that I would want in my reports.

 

It's not incorrect to write 瞭解, it's just that 了解 is far more common nowadays (as you concluded).