Я знаю
ya znayu
The English phrase "I know" is translated into Russian as Я знаю (ya znayu).
Я знаю is used as an assertion that the speaker possesses a specific answer, piece of information or idea.
Meaning: assertion that speaker has answer or idea (phrase)
Which one should you use?
Use Я знаю when you possess information or a fact. In contrast, if you wish to say you are acquainted with a person or a place, you should use Я знаком.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form Я знаю uses the first person singular present tense of the verb знать. If you need to speak in the past tense, the form changes based on the gender of the speaker: use Я знал if the speaker is masculine and Я знала if the speaker is feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
ya znayu
Did you know?
- The root of знать is closely related to the English word 'ken', as in the phrase 'beyond one's ken'.
- The word знать shares its root with the word for 'sign' or 'mark' in several Slavic languages, implying that to 'know' is to recognize a sign.
- In some contexts, repeating the phrase as Я знаю, я знаю can function as a polite way to tell someone to stop explaining because you already understand.
Examples in context
- Я знаю о них.I know about them.This sentence is useful for saying you know about a group of people.Tatoeba #4628338 by marafon, translation #3920908 by CH
- Я знаю о нём.I know about him.This sentence is useful for saying you know about a specific male.Tatoeba #4628339 by marafon, translation #3920909 by CH
- Я знаю о ней.I know about her.This sentence is useful for saying you know about a specific female.Tatoeba #4628340 by marafon, translation #3920910 by CH
- Ты слышал о новом ресторане? Я в курсе, он открылся на улице Пушкина.Have you heard about the new restaurant? I'm up to date, it opened on Pushkin Street.
- 6547 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a movie tonight.
- Екатерина EkaterinaТы помнишь, когда начинается фильм?Ty pomnish', kogda nachinaetsya fil'm?Do you remember when the movie starts?
- Александр AleksandrДа, я знаю.Da, ya znayu.Yes, I know.
- Екатерина EkaterinaТогда встретимся у кинотеатра.Togda vstretimsya u kinoteatra.Then let's meet at the cinema.
- Александр AleksandrХорошо, до встречи, Екатерина!Khorosho, do vstrechi, Ekaterina!Okay, see you later, Ekaterina!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
