识 shí / zhì — to know; knowledge; to record; write a footnote
我认识这个字，但不知道怎么读。Wǒ rèn shi zhè ge zì, dàn bù zhī dào zěn me dú.I recognize this character, but I do not know how to read it.
Common words: 认识 (rèn shi)、知识 (zhī shi)、常识 (cháng shí)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "knowledge"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "knowledge", including 识 (shí / zhì), 智 (zhì). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms, common words…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "knowledge" covers 2 different Chinese characters — 识 (shí / zhì), 智 (zhì) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 2 characters do not share a sound — their readings span shí, zhì — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 识 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 识 shí / zhìto know; knowledge; to record; write a footnoteUseful words: 认识, 知识
- 智 zhìwisdom; knowledgeUseful words: 智力, 智能
Common words for these 2 "knowledge" characters
Anchor each of these 2 characters in a word you can picture — start with 识 (shí / zhì) — so "knowledge" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
See each character in a sentence
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 2 ways to say "knowledge".
智 zhì — wisdom; knowledge
这个谜语需要一点儿智慧才能猜出来。Zhè ge mí yǔ xū yào yì diǎnr zhì huì cái néng cāi chū lái.This riddle takes some wisdom to solve.
Common words: 智力 (zhì lì)、智能 (zhì néng)、智慧 (zhì huì)
All 2 characters
Open 识、智 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.