--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you can't explain something to a first…" description: "\"If you can't explain something to a first year student, then you haven't really understood .\" — Richard P. Feynman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/933/richard-p-feynman-495_explain_if-you-can-t-explain-something-to-a-firs_522671.png" --- # If you can't explain something to a first year student… ![“If you can't explain something to a first year student, then you haven't really understood .” quote by Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/933/richard-p-feynman-495_explain_if-you-can-t-explain-something-to-a-firs_522671.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/933/richard-p-feynman-495_explain_if-you-can-t-explain-something-to-a-firs_522671.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/933/richard-p-feynman-495_explain_if-you-can-t-explain-something-to-a-firs_522671.png) > “If you can't explain something to a first year student, then you haven't really understood .” [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Understanding is demonstrated when you can simplify complex ideas for beginners. **In simple terms:** Explain simply to show true grasp. Key Takeaway Teach to clarify your own knowledge. Themes education communication mastery Mood inspired confident Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - teaching - mentoring - public speaking - science outreach Key Concepts pedagogy cognitive clarity Questions to Reflect On - What concept could you break down today? - How does teaching reveal gaps in your knowledge? A Different Perspective Complex topics may resist oversimplification. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Explain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/explain/) [Explain Year](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/explain-year-2903852/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Havens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/havens/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Really Understood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/really-understood-361119/) [Student](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/student/) [Students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/students/) [Understand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understand/) [Understood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understood/) [Year Student](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/year-student-1495623/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/if-you-can-t-explain-it-to-a-six-year-old-you-don-t-understand-it/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself. Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/if-you-can-t-explain-it-to-a-six-year-old-you-don-t-understand-it-2/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Any scientist who can't explain to an eight-year-old what he is doing is a charlatan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/any-scientist-who-can-t-explain-to-an-eight-year-old-what-he-is-doing/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [In the New Year, you carry all the experiences of the past years and that is the greatest power of every New Year! This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/in-the-new-year-you-carry-all-the-experiences-of-the-past-years-and/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [When I was a first year student at Julliard, I wasn't happy, not sure about this acting thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-j-smith/when-i-was-a-first-year-student-at-julliard-i-wasn-t-happy-not-sure/) [Brian J. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-j-smith/) > [I classify myself as a student and a teacher. This year, I'm back into the student. I try to stay balanced. I learn so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-brooks/i-classify-myself-as-a-student-and-a-teacher-this-year-i-m-back-into/) [Meredith Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-brooks/) > [Donald Trump really understood how to float a story, how to float a rumor, how to manipulate the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeannette-walls/donald-trump-really-understood-how-to-float-a-story-how-to-float-a/) [Jeannette Walls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeannette-walls/) > [None of us really understood exactly how much Star Wars would affect us for the rest of our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-lloyd/none-of-us-really-understood-exactly-how-much-star-wars-would-affect/) [Jake Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-lloyd/) > [With Vietman, we found ourselves involved there before we really understood what was going on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-schieffer/with-vietman-we-found-ourselves-involved-there-before-we-really/) [Bob Schieffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-schieffer/) > [I really understood what success is with 'Kempegowda.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arjun-janya/i-really-understood-what-success-is-with-kempegowda/) [Arjun Janya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arjun-janya/) > [Eventually, my eyes were opened, and I really understood nature. I learned to love at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/eventually-my-eyes-were-opened-and-i-really-understood-nature-i/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [I felt no one really understood me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-bowen/i-felt-no-one-really-understood-me/) [James Bowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-bowen/) > [I think I just really understand what it is to feel like you don't fit in, within your society, within your world, within your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anya-taylor-joy/i-think-i-just-really-understand-what-it-is-to-feel-like-you-don-t/) [Anya Taylor-Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anya-taylor-joy/) > [Growing up, I really struggled with finding a group of people that I really understood and that understood me. The fact that I've kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laufey/growing-up-i-really-struggled-with-finding-a-group-of-people-that-i/) [Laufey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laufey/) > [I never really understood love til I found you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karina-barton/i-never-really-understood-love-til-i-found-you/) [Karina Barton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karina-barton/) ## More by Richard P. Feynman > [“Philosophers have said before that one of the fundamental requisites of science is that whenever you set up the same conditions, the same thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/philosophers-have-said-before-that-one-of-the-fundamental-requisites/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [My rule is, when you are unhappy, think about it. But when you're happy, don't. Why spoil it? You're probably happy for some ridiculous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/my-rule-is-when-you-are-unhappy-think-about-it-but-when-you-re-happy/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [Trying to understand the way nature works involves a most terrible test of human reasoning ability. It involves subtle trickery, beautiful tightropes of logic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/trying-to-understand-the-way-nature-works-involves-a-most-terrible/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [Today's brains are yesterday's mashed potatoes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/today-s-brains-are-yesterday-s-mashed-potatoes/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [Mathematics is a language plus reasoning; it is like a language plus logic. Mathematics is a tool for reasoning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/mathematics-is-a-language-plus-reasoning-it-is-like-a-language-plus/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [It is necessary for the very existence of science that minds exist which do not allow that nature must satisfy some preconceived conditions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/it-is-necessary-for-the-very-existence-of-science-that-minds-exist/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [“There was a Princess Somebody of Denmark sitting at a table with a number of people around her, and I saw an empty chair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/there-was-a-princess-somebody-of-denmark-sitting-at-a-table-with-a/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [All the time you're saying to yourself, 'I could do that, but I won't,'--which is just another way of saying that you can't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/all-the-time-you-re-saying-to-yourself-i-could-do-that-but-i-won-t/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [“There's a big difference between knowing the name of something and knowing something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/there-s-a-big-difference-between-knowing-the-name-of-something-and/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [The fact that you are not sure means that it is possible that there is another way someday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/the-fact-that-you-are-not-sure-means-that-it-is-possible-that-there/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [You can always recognize truth by its beauty and simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/you-can-always-recognize-truth-by-its-beauty-and-simplicity/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [One cannot understand... the universality of laws of nature, the relationship of things, without an understanding of mathematics. There is no other way to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/one-cannot-understand-the-universality-of-laws-of-nature-the/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [Mathematics is not just a language. Mathematics is a language plus reasoning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/mathematics-is-not-just-a-language-mathematics-is-a-language-plus/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [A poet once said, "The whole universe is in a glass of wine." We will probably never know in what sense he meant that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/a-poet-once-said-the-whole-universe-is-in-a-glass-of-wine-we-will/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [I was a very shy character, always feeling uncomfortable because everybody was stronger than I, and always afraid I would look like a sissy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/i-was-a-very-shy-character-always-feeling-uncomfortable-because/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) [Explore all 515 Richard P. Feynman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) ## More Explain quotes > [You have to talk about why things happened the way they did. You can't actually explain my political life except by a series of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lange/you-have-to-talk-about-why-things-happened-the-way-they-did-you-can-t/) [David Lange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lange/) > [Back home I get to see my old friends!(: But they don't understand the change in me and I can't explain it to them...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade/back-home-i-get-to-see-my-old-friends-but-they-don-t-understand-the/) [Jade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade/) > [If you have a good idea you must explain it or you will fail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/if-you-have-a-good-idea-you-must-explain-it-or-you-will-fail/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [How do you explain a person like Asha Bhosle? A star or a super star or just someone from the Gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anu-malik/how-do-you-explain-a-person-like-asha-bhosle-a-star-or-a-super-star/) [Anu Malik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anu-malik/) > [If you win you need not explain……But if you lose you should not be there to explain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-win-you-need-not-explain-but-if-you-lose-you-should-not-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I'm afraid I can't explain myself, sir. Because I am not myself, you see?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/i-m-afraid-i-can-t-explain-myself-sir-because-i-am-not-myself-you-see/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [There is an indefinable quality possessed by some artists. You simply can't explain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-ellen/there-is-an-indefinable-quality-possessed-by-some-artists-you-simply/) [Vera-Ellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-ellen/) > [To be in a room and have to explain your point of view is a huge skill in Hollywood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-savage/to-be-in-a-room-and-have-to-explain-your-point-of-view-is-a-huge/) [Stephanie Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-savage/) > [“I am not sure how to explain it, except that - truth matters to us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliezer-yudkowsky/i-am-not-sure-how-to-explain-it-except-that-truth-matters-to-us/) [Eliezer Yudkowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliezer-yudkowsky/) > [When I'm creating art or music, when something is resonating or a scene is going well, that almost feels religious to me... there's this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-thatcher/when-i-m-creating-art-or-music-when-something-is-resonating-or-a/) [Sophie Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-thatcher/) > [In a Western, you don't over-explain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-dean-morgan/in-a-western-you-don-t-over-explain/) [Jeffrey Dean Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-dean-morgan/) > [I'm not the guy who will sit in a room with somebody who's using a bunch of big words and just act like I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-wahlberg/i-m-not-the-guy-who-will-sit-in-a-room-with-somebody-who-s-using-a/) [Mark Wahlberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-wahlberg/) > [I explain at the parties that I believe knitting is a transformative and intriguing act that can change the life and brain of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-pearl-mcphee/i-explain-at-the-parties-that-i-believe-knitting-is-a-transformative/) [Stephanie Pearl-McPhee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-pearl-mcphee/) > [Old cookbooks connect you to your past and explain the history of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/old-cookbooks-connect-you-to-your-past-and-explain-the-history-of-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There is no way to explain enlightenment. It is just a word to indicate something beyond, something very, very far beyond the normal human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/there-is-no-way-to-explain-enlightenment-it-is-just-a-word-to/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) [Browse all 989 Explain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/explain/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you can't explain something to a first year student, then you haven't really understood .", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Richard P. 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