The idea
“Auf etwas hinauswollen” is separable and colloquial-neutral; in a question or indirect question it becomes “worauf” (auf + was). The indirect question pushes “hinauswillst” to the end. “Etwas nachvollziehen” means to follow someone’s reasoning and is a bit more formal. Paraphrasing with “du meinst …” lets the speaker confirm or correct your understanding.
Other ways to say it
“Ach so, jetzt verstehe ich, was du meinst.” – Casual and common; “ach so” signals sudden understanding.
“Ich verstehe, was Sie meinen.” – Neutral to formal; often followed by “aber” in discussions.
“Ah, jetzt hab ich’s.” – Very casual spoken German; “hab ich’s” is short for habe ich es.
Examples
- Jetzt verstehe ich, worauf du hinauswillst.Now I see what you mean.
- Ist der Unterschied zwischen den Plänen klar?Is the difference between the plans clear?
- Ja, du meinst den zusätzlichen Weg zum Eingang.Yes, you mean the additional walk to the entrance.
- Genau dieser Weg fehlt in meiner Zeitrechnung.That is exactly the walk missing from my timing calculation.
- Dann kann ich deinen Einwand besser nachvollziehen.Then I can understand your objection better.
- Gut, wir rechnen diesen Abschnitt gemeinsam dazu.Good; let us add that section together.
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Watch out
“Jetzt verstehe ich, worauf willst du hinaus.” → “Jetzt verstehe ich, worauf du hinauswillst.”: After “verstehe ich” the worauf-part is an indirect question, so the verb goes to the end and the separable prefix joins it again: “hinauswillst”. Learners keep the direct-question order.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: Now I see what you mean.
Show answer or example answer
Jetzt verstehe ich, worauf du hinauswillst.
“Jetzt” opens the main clause, so “verstehe ich” follows. The indirect question starts with “worauf” and ends with the joined verb “hinauswillst”.
Put the words in order: den / du / Eingang / Ja / meinst / Weg / zum / zusätzlichen
Show answer or example answer
Ja, du meinst den zusätzlichen Weg zum Eingang.
“Meinen” takes a direct accusative object: “den zusätzlichen Weg”, masculine with the weak ending -en. “Zum Eingang” is zu + dem.
Write this sentence in German: Good; let us add that section together.
Show answer or example answer
Gut, wir rechnen diesen Abschnitt gemeinsam dazu.
“Dazurechnen” (to add into a calculation) is separable: “rechnen … dazu”. “Diesen Abschnitt” is accusative, and “gemeinsam” makes it a shared step.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: Now I see what you mean.
Jetzt verstehe ich, worauf du hinauswillst.
Put the words in order: den / du / Eingang / Ja / meinst / Weg / zum / zusätzlichen
Ja, du meinst den zusätzlichen Weg zum Eingang.
Write this sentence in German: Good; let us add that section together.
Gut, wir rechnen diesen Abschnitt gemeinsam dazu.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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A friend explains why the cheaper flat is actually more expensive. Show that you understand, then repeat her main point in your own words.