知识

• Pinyin: zhī shi
• Hanzi breakdown: 知 = 矢 (arrow) + 口 (mouth) — knowledge; 识 = 讠(speech) + 只 (phonetic) — to recognise, discern

Meaning

Knowledge; learning. Refers to information or understanding acquired through study or experience.

A formal-leaning word for knowledge in the broad sense. Used in contexts related to education, reading, and personal development. Common collocations include 知识丰富 (rich in knowledge) and 学知识 (to learn/acquire knowledge).

Examples

1. 学习新知识很有趣。 Learning new knowledge is very interesting.
2. 这本书里有很多知识。 This book contains a lot of knowledge.
3. 老师教给我们很多知识。 The teacher taught us a lot of knowledge.

Usage Guide

Context: education, reading

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他的知识很丰富。(He has a wealth of knowledge.)
• 我们要多学知识。(We should learn more knowledge.)

Don't Say

• 我有很多知识关于中国。(Word order is off — say 我有很多关于中国的知识)

Origin & History

Compound of 知 (to know) + 识 (to recognise/know). Both characters relate to knowing, together forming the abstract concept of knowledge.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal