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

 
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Both 知道 (zhīdao) 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 (zhīdao) emphasizes knowledge of facts, while 认识 (rènshi) emphasizes familiarity, usually with people.
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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>
 
  
== For Knowing Facts Use 知道 (zhīdao) ==
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== For Knowing Facts Use 知道 (zhīdào) ==
  
This one is pretty straightforward. 知道 (zhīdao) is only a verb, and means “to have knowledge of.”  
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This one is pretty straightforward. 知道 (zhīdào) is only a verb, and means “to have knowledge of.”  
  
=== Common Pattern ===
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=== Pattern ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 你 <em>知道</em> 她的 生日 吗 ?
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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>
* 他 <em>知道</em> 明天 开会 。
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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>
* 我 <em>知道</em> 中国 有 很 多 人 。
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* 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>
* 你 不 <em>知道</em> 明天 下雨 吗 ?
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* 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>
* 我 不 <em>知道</em> 为什么 。
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* 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>
* 他 <em>知道</em> 自己 错 了 。
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== For New Realizations Use 知道 (zhīdao) ==
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== For New Realizations Use 知道 (zhīdào) ==
  
知道 (zhīdao) can also mean “to realize”, or “to become aware” of a person or something heard or said. You're going to see 知道 (zhīdao) used with 了 (le) for this usage.
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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.
  
 
=== Pattern ===
 
=== Pattern ===
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<div class="liju dapei">
 
<div class="liju dapei">
* <em>知道</em> 了<span class="pinyin"><em>zhīdao</em> nǐ</span><span class="trans">To become aware of</span>
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* 知道 了 <span class="pinyin">zhīdào le</span><span class="trans">to "get it"</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 好的, 我 <em>知道</em> 了。
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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>
 
</div>
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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.
 
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 ===
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=== Pattern ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我 <em>认识</em> 她 , 她 是 我的 朋友 。
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* 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>
* 我 不 <em>认识</em> 你 。
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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>
* 我们 <em>认识</em> 吗 ?
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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>
* 我们 <em>认识</em> 两 年 了 。
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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>
 
</div>
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=== Set Phrases ===
 
=== Set Phrases ===
  
These sentences work only with 认识.
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These sentences work only with 认识 (rènshi), and both mean exactly the same thing.
  
 
<div class="liju dapei">
 
<div class="liju dapei">
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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>
 
* 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>
 
These two sentences mean exactly the same thing.
 
  
 
=== Example Sentences ===
 
=== Example Sentences ===
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我 在 上海 <em>认识</em> 了 很 多 朋友 。
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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>
* 你 和 你的 朋友 是 怎么 <em>认识</em> 的 ?
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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>
* 我们 是 在 法国 <em>认识</em> 的 。
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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== For Knowing OF People Use 知道 (zhīdào) ==
 
== 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.
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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.
  
=== Common Pattern ===
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=== Pattern ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
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=== Example Sentences ===
 
=== Example Sentences ===
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 +
Note that you don't use 了 (le) in these sentences.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我 <em>认识</em> 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 <em>认识</em> 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。
 
* 你和你的朋友是怎么认识的?
 
* 我们是在法国认识的。
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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== For Being Familiar with a Place Use 认识 (rènshi) ==
 
== 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.
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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 ===
 
=== Common Pattern ===
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</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Collocations ===
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=== Common Phrases ===
 
 
These patterns work only with 认识:
 
 
 
<div class="liju dapei">
 
* <em>认识</em> 路<span class="pinyin"><em>rènshi</em> nǐ</span><span class="trans">To know the way (to get somewhere)</span>
 
* <em>认识</em> 地方<span class="pinyin"><em>rènshi</em></span><span class="trans">To be familiar with a place</span>
 
</div>
 
  
 
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):
 
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):
  
 
<div class="liju dapei">
 
<div class="liju dapei">
* <em>认识</em> Place<span class="pinyin"><em>rènshi</em> nǐ</span><span class="trans">Know a place</span>
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* 认识 这个 地方 <span class="pinyin">rènshi zhège dìfang</span><span class="trans">to know a place</span>
* <em>认识</em> 这个字<span class="pinyin"><em>rènshi</em></span><span class="trans">Know a character</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>
 
</div>
  
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.
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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 ==
+
=== Example Sentences ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我不认识那个地方,也不认识路。
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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>
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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>
 +
* 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?