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知 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
知zhīto knowHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 矢, rank #850, Hard
知zhīto be awareHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 矢, rank #850, Hard
知zhīto know, to perceive, to comprehendHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 矢, rank #850, Hard
zhī(zhi1) T1
  1. 1to know
  2. 2to be aware
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
知zhī(zhi1)

The character 知 (zhī) means 'to know' or 'to be aware.' It is commonly used in contexts involving knowledge, awareness, or understanding, such as in learning, communication, and decision-making. This character conveys a sense of comprehension and is foundational in both spoken and written Mandarin.

Strokes8Radical矢Frequency#850DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese philosophy, knowledge is highly valued, particularly in Confucianism, where understanding and wisdom are seen as essential for personal growth and societal harmony. The concept of 知 is tied to the pursuit of learning and moral integrity.

Memory Tip

Imagine a wise old owl (which represents knowledge) perched on a branch, with the sound 'zhī' echoing through the forest. The character 知 has a component (知) that visually resembles an owl's head and wings, helping you remember that it represents knowing or being aware.

Meanings of 知

zhī(zhi1)
1to know
2to be aware
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 知

知Simplified
8Strokes
矢Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#850Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6

Podcast: 知

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Podcast: 知

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AI Study Notes for 知

Quick Contrast

知道 (zhīdào) vs 了解 (liǎojiě) — use 知 (zhī) to emphasize general knowledge or awareness, while 知道 (zhīdào) indicates specific knowledge of something, and 了解 (liǎojiě) suggests a deeper understanding.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a wise old owl (which represents knowledge) perched on a branch, with the sound 'zhī' echoing through the forest. The character 知 has a component (知) that visually resembles an owl's head and wings, helping you remember that it represents knowing or being aware.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 知 with other similar verbs like 认识 (rènshi), which means 'to recognize.' 知 is more about knowing facts or information, whereas 认识 implies familiarity with someone or something. Be mindful of the tone, as mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

Though 知 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it is essential for HSK 1 and 2 learners as it appears in various phrases. Focus on using it in sentences that express knowledge, such as '我知道' (wǒ zhīdào - I know) to solidify its application in conversation.

Cultural Note

In Chinese philosophy, knowledge is highly valued, particularly in Confucianism, where understanding and wisdom are seen as essential for personal growth and societal harmony. The concept of 知 is tied to the pursuit of learning and moral integrity.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 知 with 了解 (liǎojiě), which means 'to understand' or 'to know in depth.' A wrong example is saying '我知这个人' (wǒ zhī zhège rén), when it should be '我认识这个人' (wǒ rènshi zhège rén) for 'I know this person.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 知

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Etymology of 知

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 矢 represents the sound. The mouth component (口) represents the oral transmission of knowledge.

Memory Hint

mouth

Semantic (meaning)口
+
Phonetic (sound)矢
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 知?

Decomposition of 知

IDS Structure⿰矢口
知Full Character
=
矢shi3
left
口kou3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 知?

Write 知

知

Practice writing 知 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 知

知 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

我也不____道他在哪儿。

I don't know where he is either.

Example Sentences for 知 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我已经本着良心将危险告知他们。

wǒ yǐ jīng běn zháo liáng xīn jiāng wēi xiǎn gào zhī tā mén。

I have been scrupulous about telling them the dangers.
2
我被告知要减肥并戒烟。

wǒ bèi gào zhī yào jiǎn féi bìng jiè yān。

I've been told to lose weight and stop smoking.
3
我已经大致知道他长什么样子了。

wǒ yǐ jīng dà zhì zhī dào tā cháng shí mó yàng zǐ le。

I've got a rough idea of what he looks like.
4
她知道有关我的学业、医院工作等所有的一切。

tā zhī dào yǒu guān wǒ de xué yè、 、 yī yuàn gōng zuò děng suǒ yǒu de yī。

She knew all about my schoolwork, my hospital work etc.
5
我来给旅馆打电话，通知他们我们明天入住。

wǒ lái gěi lǚ guǎn dǎ diàn huà， ， tōng zhī tā mén wǒ mén míng tiān rù。

I'll ring the hotel. I'll tell them we'll check in tomorrow.
6
我知道那根本没什么大不了的，所以有些无动于衷。

wǒ zhī dào nà gēn běn méi shí mó dà bù le de， ， suǒ yǐ yǒu xiē wú dòng yú。

I know it's nothing serious and I feel quite unemotional about it.
7
他们只是大概知道可用水的总量。

tā mén zhī shì dà gài zhī dào kě yòng shuǐ de zǒng liáng。

They have only a vague idea of the amount of water available.
8
我们从可靠的消息来源获知索尼娅非常爱自己的家人。

wǒ mén cóng kě kào de xiāo xī lái yuán huò zhī suǒ ní yà fēi cháng ài zì jǐ de jiā rén。

Sonia, we are reliably informed, loves her family very much.
9
《每日邮报》的头版标题为“良知的声音”。

《 《 měi rì yóu》 bào 》 de tóu bǎn biāo“ tí wéi “ liáng zhī”。

The Daily Mail has the headline "The Voice of Conscience"
10
我知道你会同我一起祝愿他们诸事顺遂的。

wǒ zhī dào nǐ huì tóng wǒ yī qǐ zhù yuàn tā mén zhū shì shùn suì de。

I know you will join me in wishing them Godspeed.

Cultural Notes for 知

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese philosophy, knowledge is highly valued, particularly in Confucianism, where understanding and wisdom are seen as essential for personal growth and societal harmony. The concept of 知 is tied to the pursuit of learning and moral integrity.

Word Family of 知

Compounds8
智zhi4wisdom
痴chi1foolish, stupid, dumb, silly
蜘zhi1spider
踟chi2hesitant, undecided; embarrassed
鼅
倁
椥zhi1see 檳椥|槟椥[Bin1 zhi1]
聟
Words Containing This Character20
知道zhīdàoto know
知识zhīshiknowledge知識
知zhīto know
通知tōngzhīto notify
不知bùzhīnot to know
得知dézhīto find out
知名zhīmíngwell-known
知识产权intellectual property rights (law)知識產權
告知gàozhīto inform
知情to know the facts
认知rènzhīcognition認知
知识分子zhīshifènzǐintellectual知識分子
知名度reputation
无知wúzhīignorant無知
未知unknown
不知不觉bùzhībùjuéunconsciously不知不覺
众所周知zhòngsuǒzhōuzhīas everyone knows (idiom)眾所周知
明知to be fully aware of
可知evidently
知己zhījǐto know oneself
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 智 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 知

You can use 知 as in '我知道这个问题的答案' (wǒ zhīdào zhège wèntí de dá'àn - I know the answer to this question).