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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to know' with 知 (zhī)

    Actions & Events

    Structure

    已 + 知

    Explanation

    知 (zhī) means 'to know' and is a classical or literary form of 知道. It often appears in formal, written, or scientific Chinese, such as in the phrase 已知 (already known). In modern spoken Chinese, 知道 is more common, but 知 remains frequent in set expressions.

    Examples

    • 据我所知，他已经搬到上海了。

      Jù wǒ suǒ zhī, tā yǐjīng bān dào Shànghǎi le.

      As far as I know, he has already moved to Shanghai.

    • 已知的行星中，地球最适合人类居住。

      Yǐzhī de xíngxīng zhōng, Dìqiú zuì shìhé rénlèi jūzhù.

      Among the known planets, Earth is the most suitable for human habitation.

    • 不知你是否方便明天过来一趟？

      Bù zhī nǐ shìfǒu fāngbiàn míngtiān guòlái yī tàng?

      I wonder if it would be convenient for you to come over tomorrow?