Dawn on Meaning in English
expression
ˈdɔn/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn
DAWN-awn
dˈɔːn/ /ˈɒn
DAWN-on
Definition
When something becomes clear to you for the first time, often suddenly or after some thought.
Usage & Nuances
Always used with a person as the object: 'it dawned on me/him/her.' More natural in the past tense. Often expresses a realization after not noticing something before. Not literal—unrelated to sunrise.
Spanish: caer en la cuenta - darse cuenta (de repente)Portuguese (BR): perceber de repente - cair a fichaPortuguese (PT): perceber de repente - dar-se contaChinese (Simplified): 突然明白 - 恍然大悟Chinese (Traditional): 突然明白 - 恍然大悟Hindi: अचानक समझ आनाArabic: يدرك فجأة - يخطر على بالهBengali: বুঝতে পারা - উপলব্ধি হওয়াRussian: доходить (до кого-то) - осенятьJapanese: 気づく - 腑に落ちるVietnamese: chợt nhận ra - nhận thức raKorean: 깨닫다 - 알아차리다Turkish: farkına varmak - anlamakUrdu: سمجھ میں آنا - ادراک ہوناIndonesian: tersadar - menyadari
Example Sentences
It dawned on me that I forgot my keys at home.
basic
Suddenly, it dawned on her that the meeting was today.
basic
It didn't dawn on him to call until late at night.
basic
As I listened to the story, it slowly dawned on me what she meant.
natural
It finally dawned on them why everyone was laughing.
natural
Has it ever dawned on you that maybe you're wrong?
natural