Realize
Verb
- To comprehend completely or correctly. Example: I just realized that I left my wallet at home!
- To bring into reality; make real. Example: When the customer’s questions were all answered, we finally realized the sale.
Synonyms: understand, register, grasp, comprehend, recognize
Note: The word realize can be confusing because in Spanish, the verb “realizar” means “to perform or carry out,” (basically, the second meaning of the verb realize in English. It’s much more common to use a verb like “to complete” or “to do” rather than realize.
Also, be aware that the first, most common definition of the word realize is “darse cuenta,” so that is what most English speakers think when they hear that word.
Quotes that Include “Realize”
“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” —Lao Tzu
“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” —Marcus Aurelius
“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” —Thomas A. Edison
Photograph by Afif Kusuma.