Difference between revisions of "Comparing "renshi" and "zhidao""

 
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Both 知道 (zhīdao) and 认识 (rènshi) can be used to mean "to know." But they are different kinds of knowing, so they pair with different words.
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Both 知道 (zhīdào) and 认识 (rènshi) are commonly used as verbs, and both can are often translated as “to know.” Both can used in formal/informal settings. But 知道 (zhīdào) emphasizes knowledge of facts, while 认识 (rènshi) emphasizes familiarity, usually with people.
  
<table class="table table-bordered table-striped">
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{{SimilarWordsCol1|知道|zhīdào|emphasizes knowledge|verb|flexible}}
<tr>
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{{SimilarWordsCol2|认识|rènshi|emphasizes familiarity|verb (mostly)|flexible}}
<th style="width:24%"> </th>
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{{SimilarWordsPageInfo|A2|HSK2|ASV376C5}}
<th style="width:33%">知道 (zhīdao)</th>
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{{2021-HSK|HSK2}}
<th style="width:33%">认识 (rènshi)</th>
 
</tr>
 
<tr>
 
<th>Meaning</th><td>emphasizes knowledge</td><td class="liju">emphasizes familiarity</td>
 
</tr>
 
<tr>
 
<th>Part of Speech</th><td>verb</td><td class="liju">verb (mostly)</td>
 
</tr>
 
<tr>
 
<th>Formality</th><td>flexible</td><td class="liju">flexible</td>
 
</tr>
 
</table>
 
  
These two words mainly differ in how they are used.
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== For Knowing Facts Use 知道 (zhīdào) ==
  
== Similarities ==
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This one is pretty straightforward. 知道 (zhīdào) is only a verb, and means “to have knowledge of.”
  
=== Parts of Speech ===
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=== Pattern ===
  
Both are verbs.
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<div class="jiegou">
 +
知道 + Fact
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
=== Example Sentences ===
  
=== Meaning ===
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Only 知道 can be used in the following sentences :
  
Both can mean “to know” a person. (In this sense, 知道 means “to know of” a person, but not on a personal level; whereas, 认识 means “to personally know” someone, in other words, to have had an interaction or encounter with that person).
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<div class="liju">
  
=== Degree of Formality ===
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* 你 <em>知道</em> 她的 生日 吗? <span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em> zhīdào </em> tā de shēngrì ma?</span><span class="trans">Do you know her birthday?</span>
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* 我 <em>知道</em> 中国 有 很 多 人。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em> zhīdào </em> Zhōngguó yǒu hěn duō rén.</span><span class="trans">I know that there are many people in China.</span>
 +
* 你 不 <em>知道</em> 明天 下雨 吗? <span class="pinyin">Nǐ bù <em> zhīdào </em> míngtiān xiàyǔ ma?</span><span class="trans">Don't you know it's going to rain tomorrow?</span>
 +
* 我 不 <em>知道</em> 为什么。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ bù <em> zhīdào </em> wèishénme.</span><span class="trans">I don't know why.</span>
 +
* 他 <em>知道</em> 自己 错 了。 <span class="pinyin">Tā <em> zhīdào </em> zìjǐ cuò le.</span><span class="trans">He knows he was wrong.</span>
  
Both can used in formal/informal settings.
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</div>
  
=== Collocations ===
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== For New Realizations Use 知道 (zhīdào) ==
  
These patterns work with both 知道 and 认识:
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知道 (zhīdào) can also mean “to realize”, or “to become aware” of a person or something heard or said. You're going to use 知道 (zhīdào) with 了 (le) in this case.
  
* 他~你
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=== Pattern ===
 +
 
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
知道 + Fact + 了
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
=== Common Phrases ===
  
 
<div class="liju dapei">
 
<div class="liju dapei">
* 他 <em>知道</em> 你 <span class="pinyin">tā <em>zhīdào</em> nǐ</span><span class="trans">he knows of you</span>
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* 知道 <span class="pinyin">zhīdào le</span><span class="trans">to "get it"</span>
* 他 <em>认识</em> 你  <span class="pinyin">tā <em>rènshi</em> nǐ</span><span class="trans">he knows you [personally]</span>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
* ~老师
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=== Example Sentences ===
 +
 
 +
Only 知道 can be used in the following sentences :
  
=== Example Sentences ===
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<div class="liju">
  
In the following sentences, 知道 and 认识 both can be used interchangeably:
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* 好的, 我 <em>知道</em> <strong>了</strong>。 <span class="pinyin">Hǎo de, wǒ <em> zhīdào </em> <strong>le</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Okay, got it.</span>
  
<div class="liju">
 
* 我 <em>认识</em> 马老师。
 
* 小明 <em>认识</em> 我的 朋友。
 
* 我 <em>知道</em> Michael Jordan。
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Differences ==
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== For Knowing People Use 认识 (rènshi) ==
  
=== Parts of Speech ===
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If you want to say "know" a person also use 认识 (rènshi). Use this only to describe knowing a person through direct firsthand experience.
  
知道 is only a verb, whereas 认识 is mainly a verb (it can also be used as a noun, but is rather limited in usage and outside the scope of this comparison).
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=== Pattern ===
  
=== Meaning ===
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<div class="jiegou">
 +
认识 + Person
 +
</div>
  
知道 means “to have knowledge of”, “to realize”, or “to become aware” of a person or something heard or said (认识 does not have this usage).  
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=== Example Sentences ===
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=== Example Sentences ===  
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<div class="liju">
 +
 
 +
* 我 <em>认识</em> 她 , 她 是 我的 朋友。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em> rènshi </em> tā, tā shì wǒ de péngyou.</span><span class="trans">I know her. She is my friend.</span>
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* 我 不 <em>认识</em> 你。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ bù <em> rènshi </em> nǐ.</span><span class="trans">I don't know you.</span>
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* 我们 <em>认识</em> 吗? <span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <em> rènshi </em> ma?</span><span class="trans">Do we know each other?</span>
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* 我们 <em>认识</em> 两 年 了。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <em> rènshi </em> liǎng nián le.</span><span class="trans">We've known each other for two years.</span>
 +
 
 +
</div>
  
Only 知道 can be used in the following sentences :
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== For Meeting People Use 认识 (rènshi) ==
  
<div class="liju">
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If you want to say "meet" (a person for the first time), use 认识 (rènshi). Note that the structure here is basically the same as the "knowing a person" use of 认识 (rènshi), so you'll have to determine based on context whether it's the "know" or "meet" meaning of 认识 (rènshi).
  
* 你知道她的生日吗?
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=== Set Phrases ===
* 他知道明天开会。
 
* 我知道中国有很多人。
 
* 你不知道明天下雨吗?
 
* 我不知道为什么。
 
  
* 你知道你父母的生日吗?
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These sentences work only with 认识 (rènshi), and both mean exactly the same thing.
* 你不知道他有女朋友吗?
 
* 他知道自己错了。
 
  
 +
<div class="liju dapei">
 +
* <em>认识</em> 你 很 高兴。<span class="pinyin"><em>rènshi</em> nǐ</span><span class="trans">Nice to meet you.</span>
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* 很 高兴 <em>认识</em> 你。<span class="pinyin"><em>rènshi</em></span><span class="trans">Nice to meet you.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Meaning ===
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=== Example Sentences ===
  
认识 means “to meet” (first time encounter with a person), “to have an understanding of” or “to recognize” a person, something, someone, some place, or a concept on a deep level (知道 does not have this usage).
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<div class="liju">
  
=== Collocations ===
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* 你 和 你的 朋友 是 怎么 <em>认识</em> 的? <span class="pinyin">Nǐ hé nǐ de péngyou shì zěnme <em> rènshi </em> de?</span><span class="trans">How did you and your friend meet?</span>
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* 我们 是 在 法国 <em>认识</em> 的。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒmen shì zài Fǎguó <em> rènshi </em> de.</span><span class="trans">We met in France.</span>
  
These patterns work only with 认识: ~你很高兴/很高兴~你, 充分~, ~路, ~地方, ~世界
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</div>
  
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== For Knowing OF People Use 知道 (zhīdào) ==
  
你知道......吗? 算是一个结构。
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If you want to say "know '''''OF''''' a person (but '''''do not''''' know them ''personally'') use 知道 (zhīdào). In this case you know they ''exist'', or know ''who they are'', but you've never met them, aren't friends with them, etc.
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 +
=== Pattern ===
 +
 
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
知道 + Person
 +
</div>
  
 
=== Example Sentences ===
 
=== Example Sentences ===
  
Only “认识” can be used:
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Note that you don't use 了 (le) in these sentences.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我认识她,她是我的朋友。
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* 我 <em>知道</em> 她 。她 很 有名。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em> zhīdào </em> tā. tā hěn yǒumíng.</span><span class="trans">I know of her. She is very famous.</span>
* 我们认识两年了。
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* 中国人 都 <em>知道</em> 孔子。 <span class="pinyin">Zhōngguó rén dōu <em> zhīdào </em> Kǒngzǐ.</span><span class="trans">All Chinese people know about Confucius.</span>
* 我在上海认识了很多朋友。
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* 我 <em>知道</em> 她 ,但 我们 不 认识。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em> zhīdào </em> tā, dàn wǒmen bù rènshi.</span><span class="trans">I know of her, but we don't know each other.</span>
* 我不认识那个地方,也不认识路。
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* 你和你的朋友是怎么认识的?
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</div>
* 我们是在法国认识的。
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 +
== For Being Familiar with a Place Use 认识 (rènshi) ==
 +
 
 +
If you want to say "know" a place, in the sense of "having some familiarity with a place," use 认识 (rènshi). Usually this means you have seen it with your own eyes; it's more than just having heard of it. This can apply to a place, a route ("the way" to get someplace), or a Chinese character.
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 +
=== Common Pattern ===
  
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
认识 + Place/Thing
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Advanced Comparison ==
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=== Common Phrases ===
  
Sometimes both 知道 and 认识 are used the same sentence.
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These patterns are commonly used with 认识, but not exclusive to 认识 (and may mean something slightly different if you use 知道 (zhīdào) in these sentences):
  
Example sentences (both 知道 and 认识 in the same sentence):
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<div class="liju dapei">
 +
* 认识 这个 地方 <span class="pinyin">rènshi zhège dìfang</span><span class="trans">to know a place</span>
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* 认识 路 <span class="pinyin">rènshi lù</span><span class="trans">to know the way (to get somewhere)</span>
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* 认识 这个 字 <span class="pinyin">rènshi zhège zì</span><span class="trans">to know this character</span>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
For each of these, you could also use 知道 (zhīdào), but the emphasis is different. 认识 (rènshi) emphasizes ''personal'' familiarity, whereas 知道 (zhīdào) knowledge of existence.
 +
 
 +
=== Example Sentences ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* 我们认识十几年了,所以我知道她的很多事情。
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* 我知道这个人,但是我不认识他。
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* 我 <em>认识</em> <strong>那个 地方</strong>。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em> rènshi </em> <strong>nàge dìfang</strong>.</span><span class="trans">I know that place.</span>
* 王朋,这是我女朋友,我们是在南京认识的。你知道这个事情吗?
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* 他 不 <em>认识</em> <strong>路</strong>。 <span class="pinyin">Tā bù <em> rènshi </em> <strong>lù</strong>.</span><span class="trans">He doesn't know the way.</span>
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* 他们 都 不 <em>认识</em> <strong>这个 字</strong>。 <span class="pinyin">Tāmen dōu bù <em> rènshi </em> <strong>zhège zì</strong>.</span><span class="trans">None of them know this character.</span>
 +
* 你 <em>认识</em> <strong>这个 汉字</strong> 吗? <span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em> rènshi </em> <strong>zhège hànzì</strong> ma?</span><span class="trans">Do you know this Chinese character?</span>
 +
 
 
</div>
 
</div>

Latest revision as of 08:40, 19 April 2022

Both 知道 (zhīdào) and 认识 (rènshi) are commonly used as verbs, and both can are often translated as “to know.” Both can used in formal/informal settings. But 知道 (zhīdào) emphasizes knowledge of facts, while 认识 (rènshi) emphasizes familiarity, usually with people.











A2HSK2ASV376C5
知道 (zhīdào) 认识 (rènshi)
Meaning emphasizes knowledge emphasizes familiarity
Part of Speech verb verb (mostly)
Formality flexible flexible

For Knowing Facts Use 知道 (zhīdào)

This one is pretty straightforward. 知道 (zhīdào) is only a verb, and means “to have knowledge of.”

Pattern

知道 + Fact

Example Sentences

Only 知道 can be used in the following sentences :

  • 知道 她的 生日 吗? zhīdào tā de shēngrì ma?Do you know her birthday?
  • 知道 中国 有 很 多 人。 zhīdào Zhōngguó yǒu hěn duō rén.I know that there are many people in China.
  • 你 不 知道 明天 下雨 吗? Nǐ bù zhīdào míngtiān xiàyǔ ma?Don't you know it's going to rain tomorrow?
  • 我 不 知道 为什么。 Wǒ bù zhīdào wèishénme.I don't know why.
  • 知道 自己 错 了。 zhīdào zìjǐ cuò le.He knows he was wrong.

For New Realizations Use 知道 (zhīdào)

知道 (zhīdào) can also mean “to realize”, or “to become aware” of a person or something heard or said. You're going to use 知道 (zhīdào) with 了 (le) in this case.

Pattern

知道 + Fact + 了

Common Phrases

  • 知道 了 zhīdào leto "get it"

Example Sentences

Only 知道 can be used in the following sentences :

  • 好的, 我 知道 Hǎo de, wǒ zhīdào le.Okay, got it.

For Knowing People Use 认识 (rènshi)

If you want to say "know" a person also use 认识 (rènshi). Use this only to describe knowing a person through direct firsthand experience.

Pattern

认识 + Person

Example Sentences

  • 认识 她 , 她 是 我的 朋友。 rènshi tā, tā shì wǒ de péngyou.I know her. She is my friend.
  • 我 不 认识 你。 Wǒ bù rènshi nǐ.I don't know you.
  • 我们 认识 吗? Wǒmen rènshi ma?Do we know each other?
  • 我们 认识 两 年 了。 Wǒmen rènshi liǎng nián le.We've known each other for two years.

For Meeting People Use 认识 (rènshi)

If you want to say "meet" (a person for the first time), use 认识 (rènshi). Note that the structure here is basically the same as the "knowing a person" use of 认识 (rènshi), so you'll have to determine based on context whether it's the "know" or "meet" meaning of 认识 (rènshi).

Set Phrases

These sentences work only with 认识 (rènshi), and both mean exactly the same thing.

  • 认识 你 很 高兴。rènshiNice to meet you.
  • 很 高兴 认识 你。rènshiNice to meet you.

Example Sentences

  • 你 和 你的 朋友 是 怎么 认识 的? Nǐ hé nǐ de péngyou shì zěnme rènshi de?How did you and your friend meet?
  • 我们 是 在 法国 认识 的。 Wǒmen shì zài Fǎguó rènshi de.We met in France.

For Knowing OF People Use 知道 (zhīdào)

If you want to say "know OF a person (but do not know them personally) use 知道 (zhīdào). In this case you know they exist, or know who they are, but you've never met them, aren't friends with them, etc.

Pattern

知道 + Person

Example Sentences

Note that you don't use 了 (le) in these sentences.

  • 知道 她 。她 很 有名。 zhīdào tā. tā hěn yǒumíng.I know of her. She is very famous.
  • 中国人 都 知道 孔子。 Zhōngguó rén dōu zhīdào Kǒngzǐ.All Chinese people know about Confucius.
  • 知道 她 ,但 我们 不 认识。 zhīdào tā, dàn wǒmen bù rènshi.I know of her, but we don't know each other.

For Being Familiar with a Place Use 认识 (rènshi)

If you want to say "know" a place, in the sense of "having some familiarity with a place," use 认识 (rènshi). Usually this means you have seen it with your own eyes; it's more than just having heard of it. This can apply to a place, a route ("the way" to get someplace), or a Chinese character.

Common Pattern

认识 + Place/Thing

Common Phrases

These patterns are commonly used with 认识, but not exclusive to 认识 (and may mean something slightly different if you use 知道 (zhīdào) in these sentences):

  • 认识 这个 地方 rènshi zhège dìfangto know a place
  • 认识 路 rènshi lùto know the way (to get somewhere)
  • 认识 这个 字 rènshi zhège zìto know this character

For each of these, you could also use 知道 (zhīdào), but the emphasis is different. 认识 (rènshi) emphasizes personal familiarity, whereas 知道 (zhīdào) knowledge of existence.

Example Sentences

  • 认识 那个 地方 rènshi nàge dìfang.I know that place.
  • 他 不 认识 Tā bù rènshi .He doesn't know the way.
  • 他们 都 不 认识 这个 字Tāmen dōu bù rènshi zhège zì.None of them know this character.
  • 认识 这个 汉字 吗? rènshi zhège hànzì ma?Do you know this Chinese character?