The subjuntivo presente of comprender is used to express wishes, desires, or uncertainty about understanding something, for example: Es importante que comprendas las instrucciones. (It’s important that you understand the instructions.)

Comprender is a regular -er verb, so its present subjunctive conjugations follow the typical pattern for that verb type.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Comprender (to understand) in the Subjunctive Mood tense (Castilian Spanish):

Comprender generally means “to understand” or “to comprehend”, but has several different meanings in the Subjunctive Mood, some of which might surprise you.

To understand or comprehend: For example, Es importante que comprendas las instrucciones. (It’s important that you understand the instructions.)

To grasp or perceive: For example, Aunque no comprendamos por qué sucedió, debemos aceptarlo. (Even if we don’t grasp why it happened, we must accept it.)

To include or comprise (idiomatic): For example, El paquete comprenda todos los servicios necesarios. (The package should comprise all the necessary services.)

To realize or become aware of (colloquial): For example, ¿Comprendéis lo que ha pasado? (Do you realize what has happened?)

To forgive or pardon (slang): For example, Comprendamos sus errores y sigamos adelante. (Let’s forgive his mistakes and move on.)

Examples

Examples of Comprender in the Subjunctive Mood

Es importante que comprendas las reglas antes de jugar. (It’s important that you understand the rules before playing.)

Espero que mi hijo comprenda la importancia de estudiar. (I hope my son understands the importance of studying.)

Aunque no estés de acuerdo, es necesario que comprendas su punto de vista. (Even if you don’t agree, it’s necessary that you understand their point of view.)

Para tener éxito en los negocios, es crucial que comprendamos las necesidades de nuestros clientes. (To be successful in business, it’s crucial that we understand our customers’ needs.)

Ojalá que el gobierno comprenda la urgencia de abordar el cambio climático. (Hopefully the government understands the urgency of addressing climate change.)

Es fundamental que comprendáis las consecuencias de vuestras acciones. (It’s essential that you all understand the consequences of your actions.)

Dudo que mis padres comprendan mi decisión de viajar por el mundo. (I doubt my parents will understand my decision to travel the world.)

Cuando estés en otro país, es importante que comprendas y respetes su cultura. (When you’re in another country, it’s important that you understand and respect their culture.)

Ojalá que la gente comprenda la importancia de reciclar y reducir los desechos. (Hopefully people understand the importance of recycling and reducing waste.)

Para tener una relación sana, es necesario que ambos comprendan las necesidades del otro. (To have a healthy relationship, it’s necessary that both understand each other’s needs.)

Aunque sea difícil, es importante que comprendamos los puntos de vista opuestos. (Although it’s difficult, it’s important that we understand opposing viewpoints.)

Espero que mi jefe comprenda que necesito tiempo libre para atender asuntos familiares. (I hope my boss understands that I need time off to attend to family matters.)

Para progresar en tu carrera, es crucial que comprendas las últimas tendencias del mercado. (To progress in your career, it’s crucial that you understand the latest market trends.)

Ojalá que la sociedad comprenda la importancia de la igualdad de género. (Hopefully society understands the importance of gender equality.)

Es fundamental que todos comprendan los riesgos asociados con el consumo excesivo de alcohol. (It’s essential that everyone understands the risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Comprender (to understand) in the Subjunctive Mood tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Castilian Spanish. For Latin American Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Subjunctive mood is also known as the Simple Subjunctive, Subjunctive Present, or Present Subjunctive Mood in English, and as Presente de Subjuntivo, Subjuntivo Presente, Presente del Modo Subjuntivo, or Tiempo Presente del Subjuntivo in Spanish.