你知道吗
nǐ zhīdào ma
In Chinese, "do you know" is expressed as 你知道吗 (nǐ zhīdào ma).
The phrase is used when asking if someone possesses specific knowledge or information. It is important to note that 知道 (zhīdào) refers specifically to knowing facts or information. If you are talking about knowing a person, being familiar with a place or recognizing characters, you should use 认识 (rènshi) instead.
Meaning: do you know? (of knowledge) (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into three parts: 你 (nǐ), meaning 'you'. 知道 (zhīdào), meaning 'to know' (referring to facts or information). And 吗 (ma), which is a question particle.
Which one should you use?
While 你知道吗 is the standard way to ask if someone knows a fact, other forms exist depending on the context. 你了解吗? is used when seeking someone's understanding or knowledge of a particular subject, while 你了解不? is an informal version of this. 你晓得不? is also used as an informal expression with a casual tone.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the question, you take the declarative statement 你知道 (nǐ zhīdào) and simply add the particle 吗 (ma) to the end.
How do you pronounce it?
nǐ zhīdào ma
Did you know?
- The word 知道 literally translates to 'to know the way'. It combines 知 meaning 'to know' and 道 meaning 'way' or 'path'.
- To express 'I don't know' in a way that avoids directness, speakers may say 我不清楚, which literally means 'I am not clear'.
- In some contexts, 你知道的 (adding a 'de' particle) is used to mean 'you already know this' and is often used to create a shared secret or bond.
Examples in context
- 这是谁的你知道吗？Do you know who this belongs to?This sentence is useful for asking about the ownership of an object using 你知道吗.Tatoeba #4881670 by musclegirlxyp, translation #2837952 by CK
- 你知道吗？Do you know?This sentence is a simple way to ask if someone knows something using 你知道吗.Tatoeba #11512354 by megamanenm, translation #619875 by ulyssemc1
- 你了解中国的文化吗?Do you know/understand Chinese culture?
- 你晓得他在哪里吗?Do you know where he is?
- 你晓得他有没有来吗?Do you know if he came or not?
- 你了解这个节日的历史吗?Do you know/understand the history of this festival?
- 明天会下雨，你知道吗？Míngtiān huì xiàyǔ, nǐ zhīdào ma?It will rain tomorrow, do you know?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Jiayi are talking about a new restaurant.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这里开了一家新店，你知道吗？zhè lǐ kāi le yī jiā xīn diàn, nǐ zhī dào ma?A new shop opened here, do you know?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我不知道，卖什么的？wǒ bù zhī dào, mài shén me de?I don't know, what does it sell?
- 志强 Zhiqiang是卖意大利面和披萨的。shì mài yì dà lì miàn hé pī sà de.It sells pasta and pizza.
- 佳怡 Jiayi太好了，我们一起去试试吧！tài hǎo le, wǒ men yī qǐ qù shì shì ba!Great, let's go try it together!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
