smattering vs understanding

smattering and understanding both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
smattering	Yes	No	No	No
understanding	Yes	Yes	No	No

As nouns, understanding is a hypernym of smattering; that is, understanding is a word with a broader meaning than smattering:

Other hypernyms of smattering include apprehension, discernment, savvy.

smattering (noun)	understanding (noun)
a slight or superficial understanding of a subject	the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination
a small number or amount	the cognitive condition of someone who understands
	an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
	the statement (oral or written) of an exchange of promises

smattering (adjective)	understanding (adjective)
	characterized by understanding based on comprehension and discernment and empathy