Phrasal verb
relate to sth/sb
Definition
phrasal verb. to understand how someone feels or why they do something because you have had a similar experience.
phrasal verb. to identify with or feel a connection to a person, situation, or idea based on shared experience or empathy.
Examples
“I can really relate to your problem.”
“Many teenagers relate to the main character in the book because she feels like an outsider.”
“The speaker's ability to relate to the struggles of the working class made his campaign surprisingly successful in rural areas.”
Examples
simple
“I can really relate to your problem.”
contextual
“Many teenagers relate to the main character in the book because she feels like an outsider.”
complex
“The speaker's ability to relate to the struggles of the working class made his campaign surprisingly successful in rural areas.”
Usage
always followed by the preposition 'to' and an object.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'understand'; while 'understand' is intellectual, 'relate to' implies a personal, emotional connection or shared history.
Pitfall
I can relate with your situation.
I can relate to your situation.
in this sense of emotional connection, the correct preposition is 'to', not 'with'.
Phrasal verb
Particles
to
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
relate + to + object