知道

zhī dào

know; realise; be aware of

HSK Level 1

Example Sentences

我不知道。

wǒ bù zhīdào.

I don't know.

你知道吗?

nǐ zhīdào ma?

Do you know?

他不知道。

tā bù zhīdào.

He doesn't know.

Synonyms

晓得 (xiǎode)

to know, to understand

清楚 (qīngchu)

to be clear, to be aware of

明白 (míngbai)

to understand, to comprehend

Antonyms

不知道 (bù zhīdào)

not know

遗忘 (yíwàng)

forget

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Etymology & Components

The Chinese word 知道 (zhīdào) is composed of two characters: 知 (zhī) and 道 (dào). The character 知 means "to know" or "to understand", while the character 道 means "way" or "path". Together, the two characters mean "to know the way" or "to understand the path". This can be interpreted in a literal sense, as in knowing the way to a destination, or in a more figurative sense, as in understanding the way to achieve a goal or the way to live a good life.The word 知道 has been used in Chinese for centuries, and it has a long and rich history. It is one of the most common words in the Chinese language, and it is used in a wide variety of contexts. For example, it can be used to ask a question (你知道吗?), to give an answer (我知道), or to make a statement (我知道了).The word 知道 is also used in a number of idioms and proverbs. For example, the idiom 知己知彼,百战不殆 means "know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles". This idiom is often used to emphasize the importance of understanding oneself and one's opponents in order to achieve success.The word 知道 is a versatile and important word in the Chinese language. It is used in a wide variety of contexts, and it has a long and rich history. By understanding the etymology of this word, HSK learners can gain a deeper understanding of the Chinese language and culture.