知る
shiru[ɕiɾɯ̟]
To know in Japanese is expressed as 知る (shiru).
The verb is used to describe the act of becoming aware of a piece of information or the process of acquiring knowledge about something.
How do you pronounce it?
shiru
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use 知る to mean 'to be acquainted with a person'. In Japanese, you should use 知っている to express being acquainted with someone.
Did you know?
- The kanji 知 is composed of the radicals for 'arrow' and 'mouth', historically suggesting that knowledge is like an arrow hitting a target.
- If you want to say 'I don't know' politely, you would use 分かりません (wakarimasen) rather than the negative of 'to know'.
- When answering 'Do you know?' in the negative, Japanese speakers use 知らない instead of the expected 知っていません.
Examples in context
- 自分を知ることは難しい。It is difficult to know oneself.This sentence uses 知る to discuss the difficulty of self-knowledge.Tatoeba #149733 by KK_kaku_, translation #264825 by CM
- トムには知る権利がある。Tom has a right to know.This sentence uses 知る to express a right to information.Tatoeba #3555500 by arnab, translation #1177491 by CK
- 己を知ることは容易ではない。To know oneself is not easy.Tatoeba #174553 by bunbuku, translation #239916 by Zifre
- 私はその事実を知っています。I know that fact.
- この映画の結末を知ってる？Do you know the ending of this movie?
- この言葉の意味、わかる？Do you know the meaning of this word?
- すごい新しいカフェを知ってるよ。I know an amazing new cafe.
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are talking about a surprise party.
- 結衣 Yui陽太君はもうこの計画を知る？Yōta-kun wa mō kono keikaku o shiru?Yota, do you already know about this plan?
- 陽太 Yotaいいえ、まだ何も知りません。Iie, mada nani mo shirimasen.No, I don't know anything yet.
- 結衣 Yuiじゃあ、明日詳しく知る時間を作るね。Jā, ashita kuwashiku shiru jikan o tsukuru ne.Then, I'll make time for you to learn the details tomorrow.
- 陽太 Yotaわかった。楽しみにしてるよ。Wakatta. Tanoshimi ni shiteru yo.Got it. I'm looking forward to it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 知る, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
