A 理解 and 了解 comparison I know the question regarding the difference has been asked but the answers didn't really help me in the other post. I'm trying to recall what my Chinese teacher once taught me.

理解 is when you can understand why something/someone is how it is, but 了解 is more of a deeper connection or understanding of someone. 

For example: If you went to an area with a lot of poverty and lived there for a bit, could you say that you finally 了解 them? Sorry for the mix of Chinese and English haha.

Is this correct?
Chinese verbs are usually made up according to this formula:
modificator + modificated or modificator + a verb to modify. 
So when I seen that 理解 and 了解 ending with the same charecter (解), this usually means that there is a slight modification of a verb 解(to divide) is in play. 

So let's find the roots of the word:


  理　(11)　リ　 As per 里# (long strip) + 玉 jewel → veins or streaks in a
  piece of jade → logic; reason (← lines/threads of a reasoning
  process ← vein; streak) → principle; natural science.


So here we already see the connotation which 理 brings: lines/patterns of reasoning. Now add this to 解 and you have "to understand解(split/crack) by reasoning理".

Now about 了 which is 瞭 simplified:


  瞭　(17)　リョウ　 As per 尞# as described in 僚 (circular continuum) + 目 eye →
  observe from a high place, enjoying a clear panoramic view → *clear-sighted; clarity.


Now you add everything up and you have: "to understand 解 clearly or by observation (not by reasoning理)"