知 (zhī) - to know & knowledge

知Tone 1

zhī ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 矢

丈志

知 · zhī

to know;

knowledge;

wisdom;

to inform;

to realize;

to understand.

to knowknowledgewisdom

Usage highlights

to knowknowledgeintelligenceto informto realizeconscience

Synonyms

  • 识— to recognize; to know
  • 晓— to know; to understand
  • 懂— to understand; to comprehend

Antonyms

  • 不知— not knowing; ignorant
  • 无知— ignorant; lacking knowledge

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I know this person (知道).
  • He has extensive knowledge (知识).
  • She is very intelligent (聪明).
  • Please inform me when you arrive (通知).

Collocations

  • to know(知道)
  • knowledge(知识)
  • intelligence(智慧)
  • to inform(通知)
  • to realize(知悉)
  • conscience(良知)

Idioms

  • Ignorance is bliss(不知为妙)
  • Know yourself and know your enemy(知己知彼)
  • A bosom friend afar brings a distant land near(海内存知己，天涯若比邻)
  • To know is easy, to do is hard(知易行难)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Central concept in Confucianism - '知' represents both knowledge and moral understanding.
  • In Daoism, '知' is sometimes contrasted with spontaneous knowing or non-knowing.
  • The character combines '矢' (arrow) and '口' (mouth), suggesting direct, targeted communication of knowledge.

FAQ