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March 24, 2026
知道zhīdào(zhi1dao4)
知道 (zhī dào) means 'to know' or 'to become aware of.' It is commonly used to express knowledge or understanding of a fact or situation. This verb can also indicate a realization or acknowledgment of something, often used in both formal and informal contexts.
Frequency#23DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
The concept of knowledge is highly valued in Chinese culture, often associated with wisdom and education. The phrase '知而后行' (zhī ér hòu xíng) emphasizes the importance of knowing before taking action.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wise owl (知) sitting on a road (道), indicating that it knows the way. The character 知 resembles a person with their arms raised in awareness, while 道 looks like a path or road, reinforcing the idea of knowing the correct direction.
Meanings of 知道
zhīdào(zhi1dao4)
1to know
2to become aware of
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About 知道
知道Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#23Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 知道
Podcast: 知道
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AI Study Notes for 知道
Quick Contrast
知道 (zhīdào) vs 了解 (liǎojiě): use 知道 when referring to general knowledge or awareness, while 了解 emphasizes deeper understanding or comprehension.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a wise owl (知) sitting on a road (道), indicating that it knows the way. The character 知 resembles a person with their arms raised in awareness, while 道 looks like a path or road, reinforcing the idea of knowing the correct direction.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 知道 with the similar verb 认识 (rèn shí), which means 'to recognize' or 'to be familiar with.' In casual conversation, you might hear the shortened form '知道了' (zhī dào le) to express understanding, but avoid using it in overly formal situations.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 知道 connects well with other basic verbs like 说 (shuō, to speak) and 听 (tīng, to hear). Focus on practicing sentences that combine 知道 with other verbs to enhance your conversational skills.
Cultural Note
The concept of knowledge is highly valued in Chinese culture, often associated with wisdom and education. The phrase '知而后行' (zhī ér hòu xíng) emphasizes the importance of knowing before taking action.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is to use 知道 when you should use 认识, such as saying '我知道他' (wǒ zhī dào tā) instead of '我认识他' (wǒ rèn shí tā) for 'I know him.' Another error is using the wrong tone, pronouncing it as 'zhì dào' instead of 'zhī dào.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 知道
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Grammar Patterns of 知道
知道 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 4 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.
The concept of knowledge is highly valued in Chinese culture, often associated with wisdom and education. The phrase '知而后行' (zhī ér hòu xíng) emphasizes the importance of knowing before taking action.
Frequently Asked Questions about 知道
Yes, you can use 知道 in the past tense as in '我知道了' (wǒ zhī dào le) which means 'I knew' or 'I found out.'
No, 知道 mainly means 'to know' facts, while 认识 (rèn shí) refers to recognizing people or being familiar with something.
You can say '我知道这个' (wǒ zhī dào zhè ge), which means 'I know this.'
