realize
word
/ˈɹiəˌɫaɪz/
REE-uh-lyz
/ˈɹɪə.laɪz/
REE-uh-lyz
Definition
To suddenly understand something or become aware of it. Also used to mean to make something happen or achieve a goal.
Usage & Nuances
Most often used for suddenly understanding or noticing ('I just realized...'). Can also mean 'to achieve/make real', but this is less common in American English and more formal. Common mistake: Spanish/Portuguese 'realizar' usually means 'to do/perform/make real', not 'to realize' in the sense of understanding.
Spanish: darse cuenta - realizar (hacer realidad)Portuguese (BR): perceber - realizar (tornar realidade)Portuguese (PT): perceber - realizar (tornar realidade)Chinese (Simplified): 意识到 - 实现 (变为现实)Chinese (Traditional): 意識到 - 實現 (變為現實)Hindi: समझना - साकार करनाArabic: يدرك - يحققBengali: বোঝা - উপলব্ধি করা - বাস্তবায়ন করাRussian: осознать - понимать - осуществитьJapanese: 気づく - 実現するVietnamese: nhận ra - nhận thức - thực hiệnKorean: 깨닫다 - 실현하다Turkish: farkına varmak - gerçekleştirmekUrdu: سمجھنا - ادراک کرنا - حقیقت بناناIndonesian: menyadari - mewujudkan
Example Sentences
I realized I forgot my keys at home.
basic
Did you realize the door was open?
basic
She suddenly realized it was her birthday.
basic
It took me years to realize what he meant.
natural
You don’t realize how lucky you are.
natural
With hard work, you can realize your dreams.
natural