知道

• Pinyin: zhī dào
• Hanzi breakdown: 知 = 矢 (arrow) + 口 (mouth) — words that hit the mark, knowledge; 道 = 辶 (movement) + 首 (head) — a path, a way

Meaning

To know; to be aware of. Refers to having knowledge or information about something.

The most common way to express 'knowing' a fact or piece of information in Chinese. Different from 认识 (to know/recognise a person) and 了解 (to understand in depth). Often used with 不 for negation: 我不知道. Can take a clause as its object: 我知道他是老师.

Examples

1. 你知道他住在哪里吗？ Do you know where he lives?
2. 我不知道这个字怎么写。 I don't know how to write this character.
3. 我知道了，谢谢你。 I understand now, thank you.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你知道明天几点上课吗？(Do you know what time class is tomorrow?)
• 我知道了。(I understand now. / Got it.)

Don't Say

• 我知道他。(This sounds incomplete for 'knowing a person' — use 我认识他 to mean 'I know him')

Origin & History

Compound of 知 (to know, from arrow 矢 hitting the target 口 — to hit the mark) + 道 (way/path). Together: 'to know the way', i.e. to understand.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal