Comparing "renshi" and "zhidao"

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.

	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.”

Common Pattern

知道 + Fact

Example Sentences

Only 知道 can be used in the following sentences :

• 你 知道 她的 生日 吗 ？
• 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 。
• 他 知道 自己 错 了 。

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 see 知道 (zhīdào) used with 了 (le) for this usage.

Pattern

知道 + Fact + 了

Common Phrases

• 知道 了zhīdào nǐTo become aware of

Example Sentences

Only 知道 can be used in the following sentences :

• 好的， 我 知道 了。

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.

Common Pattern

认识 + Person

Example Sentences

• 我 认识 她 ， 她 是 我的 朋友 。
• 我 不 认识 你 。
• 我们 认识 吗 ？
• 我们 认识 两 年 了 。

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.

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

These two sentences mean exactly the same thing.

Example Sentences

• 我 在 上海 认识 了 很 多 朋友 。
• 你 和 你的 朋友 是 怎么 认识 的 ？
• 我们 是 在 法国 认识 的 。

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.

Common Pattern

知道 + Person

Example Sentences

• 我 认识 她 ，她 是 我的 朋友 。
• 我们 认识 两 年 了 。
• 我在上海认识了很多朋友。
• 我不认识那个地方，也不认识路。
• 你和你的朋友是怎么认识的？
• 我们是在法国认识的。

For Being Familiar with a Place Use 认识 (rènshi)

If you want to say "know" in the sense of "being familiar with" a place or possibly some other thing, use 认识 (rènshi). Here it can mean “to have an understanding of” or “to recognize” a place, a route, a character, or a concept on a deep level.

Common Pattern

认识 + Place/Thing

Collocations

These patterns work only with 认识:

• 认识 路rènshi nǐTo know the way (to get somewhere)
• 认识 地方rènshiTo be familiar with a place

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 Placerènshi nǐKnow a place
• 认识 这个字rènshiKnow a character

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

Example Sentences

• 我不认识那个地方，也不认识路。