English speakers: How would you explain the difference in meaning between "I understand" and "I get it"?

Question

Clarification: I'm a native speaker, and a non-native speaker just asked me to explain the difference in meaning. I feel there is a difference, but I can't explain it.

And by the way, I'm not from the South.

Answer 1

I think "I get it" is often short for "I get the picture" indicating a broader view. If someone is saying "I get it" with a hard edge to his voice he's annoyed and telling you to stop explaining, and make your point. If it is said in a conversational tone, he's telling you he's following the conversation and to continue.

Answer 2

Ooppssss... i'm not a native English!!! but hope i can help like an English :) SPECIMEN: An individual, item, or part representative of a class, genus, or whole OR One that is representative of a group as a whole OR One serving as a pattern of a specific kind SAMPLE: A portion, piece, or segment that is representative of a whole OR a somewhat ideal format of a real OR a part of the real OR a part of the Specimen note: (we shall have Specimen sample , not Sample specimen) " I've seen some fake banknotes stamped "SPECIMEN". Don't you normally stamp "SAMPLE" on fake banknotes, to show someone what foreign banknotes look like? " ans to this for the given situation is: Since the stamped banknote is fake and it is a real fake note! it is a specimen that represents fake notes If a photograph of a possible fakenote is take into consideration then sure it ll be stamped "SAMPLE" fake banknote

Answer 3

Proper English with "I understand." but not proper English with "I get it." It seems to me the meaning is otherwise the same. I will admit that "I get it" is a cooler way of saying the same thing or more in tuned way of talking like youngsters of the day, casual.
However, the subject is important in this case.
I get it is an idiomatic way of expressing the same as I understand.
Idiomatic means the actual words do not convey the meaning. The words or expression, "I Get It," does not mean, "I understand it!"

Answer 4

I get it is a colloquilism phrase for I understand used in informal conversation. And I am from the South. Do you have a problem with Southerners or something?

Answer 5

"I understand" connotes an actual comprehension of the subject matter that is being discussed.

"I get it" connotes a grasp of the subject, but usually has a negative use... like "I get it, leave me alone already." Although it's use as a exclamative (oh, I get it!) can mean the same thing as I understand, it usually means that someone grasps it for the first time after it has eluded them.

Hopefully you can explain this to someone without being as nuanced as it seems to be.

Answer 6

I would say this is a great example of your situation.
You know the answer but you can't explain it to your friend - the difference between "understanding" and "getting it".
I guess I would say that to understand is to fully comprehend the matter. To "get it" is a vague grasp, nonetheless, enough to not not understand. Woooh

Answer 7

I understand signifies that I grasp the concept. I get it could just mean you heard or saw it, but are not able to re-tell it or convey it to someone else.

Answer 8

The both mean roughly the same thing, but "I understand" is formal while "I get it" is informal and an idiomatic expression.

Answer 9

You should say I understand. Same meaning but I get it comes from the woods in the south.

Answer 10

all languages have a variety of expressions to deal in situations. In the vernacular, speaking to a friend "I get it" is OK so is I see, I understand etc