Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use this to say you know a fact, a person, or a place in a polite way.
- Means: 'I know' or 'I am aware of' something/someone.
- Used in: Social introductions, sharing facts, or confirming information.
- Don't confuse: Use 'shirimasen' for 'I don't know,' not 'shitte imasen'.
Explicación a tu nivel:
Significado
Expressing familiarity or awareness of a fact or situation.
Contexto cultural
In business, saying 'I know' too quickly can seem like you are rushing the speaker. It's better to use 'shouchi itashimashita' (I have understood/accepted). When someone tells you something you already know, it's often polite to say 'Sou nan desu ka!' (Is that so!) to keep the conversation flowing. Students are encouraged to say 'shirimasen' clearly if they don't know an answer, rather than guessing, to show honesty.
The Negative Trap
Never say 'shitte imasen' for 'I don't know.' Use 'shirimasen.'
The 'Already' Nuance
Adding 'mou' (already) before 'shitte imasu' makes you sound very informed.
The Negative Trap
Never say 'shitte imasen' for 'I don't know.' Use 'shirimasen.'
The 'Already' Nuance
Adding 'mou' (already) before 'shitte imasu' makes you sound very informed.
Acquaintances
Use 'shiriai' (noun) to describe people you know but aren't close friends with.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '{知|し}る'.
A: {田中|たなか}さんを（ ）か？ B: いいえ、（ ）。
The question asks for a state ('Do you know?'), and the negative of 'shitte imasu' is 'shirimasen.'
Which sentence is correct for 'I know how to swim'?
Choose the natural Japanese sentence:
Skills use 'dekiru' (can do), not 'shitte imasu'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: この{漢字|かんじ}の{読|よ}み{方|かた}を（ ）か？ B: はい、'{知|し}る'です。
Reading a kanji is a piece of factual information, so 'shitte imasu' is appropriate.
🎉 Puntuación: /3
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosA: {田中|たなか}さんを（ ）か？ B: いいえ、（ ）。
The question asks for a state ('Do you know?'), and the negative of 'shitte imasu' is 'shirimasen.'
Choose the natural Japanese sentence:
Skills use 'dekiru' (can do), not 'shitte imasu'.
A: この{漢字|かんじ}の{読|よ}み{方|かた}を（ ）か？ B: はい、'{知|し}る'です。
Reading a kanji is a piece of factual information, so 'shitte imasu' is appropriate.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
3 preguntasBecause 'shiru' is the action of finding out. 'Shitte imasu' is the state of having found out and still knowing it.
No, use 'gitaa ga hikemasu' (I can play guitar).
It's not rude, but it's very casual. Use it only with friends or family.
Frases relacionadas
{分|わ}かる
similarTo understand
{覚|おぼ}えている
similarTo remember
{存|ぞん}じる
specialized formTo know (humble)
{見|み}たことがある
similarTo have seen before
Dónde usarla
Meeting a mutual friend
A: {田中|たなか}さんを{知|し}っていますか？
B: はい、{大学|だいがく}の{時|とき}からの{友達|ともだち}です。
Asking for directions
A: すみません、この{近|ちか}くに{郵便局|ゆうびんきょく}があるか{知|し}っていますか？
B: はい、あそこの{角|かど}を{右|みぎ}に{曲|ま}がったところにありますよ。
Workplace announcement
Boss: {来週|らいしゅう}の{出張|しゅっちょう}のスケジュールは{知|し}っていますか？
Staff: はい、メールで{確認|かくにん}しました。
Talking about a famous movie
A: この{映画|えいが}、{知|し}ってる？
B: うん、すごく{有名|ゆうめい}だよね。
Trivia or Quiz
Host: {日本|にほん}で{一番|いちばん}{高|たか}い{山|やま}を{知|し}っていますか？
Player: はい、{富士山|ふじさん}です！
Checking news awareness
A: {今日|きょう}のニュース、{知|し}っていますか？
B: いいえ、まだ{見|み}ていません。{何|なに}があったんですか？
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of a 'Sheet' (Shi) of paper with a 'T' (tte) on it. You 'know' what's written on the sheet!
Asociación visual
Imagine an arrow (from the kanji {知|し}) flying into your brain and lighting up a lightbulb. The arrow represents the information hitting its mark.
Rhyme
To know a face or know a place, 'Shitte imasu' with a friendly face!
Story
You are walking in Tokyo and see a famous mascot. You point and say 'Shitte imasu!' because you recognize it. A friend asks if you know the way to the station, and you say 'Shitte imasu!' because you have the map in your head.
In Other Languages
In Korean, 'algo itda' (알고 있다) uses the exact same 'resultative state' grammar. In Spanish and French, they split 'knowing' into two words (saber/conocer and savoir/connaître), but Japanese uses one verb for both.
Word Web
Desafío
Go through your contact list or social media feed. For every person you recognize, say out loud: '[Name]さんを{知|し}っています。'
Review the difference between 'shitte imasu' and 'shirimasen' on day 1, 3, and 7.
Pronunciación
The 'sh' is like 'she', the 'tte' is a double 't' sound (a small pause), and the 'u' at the end is often silent.
Espectro de formalidad
あの方を{存|ぞん}じております。 (Identifying someone)
あの{人|ひと}を{知|し}っています。 (Identifying someone)
あの{人|ひと}、{知|し}ってる。 (Identifying someone)
あの{人|ひと}、シッテル。 (Identifying someone)
Derived from the Old Japanese verb 'siru,' which meant to take control of or to govern, as well as to perceive.
Dato curioso
The kanji for 'shiru' is also used in the word for 'wisdom' ({知恵|ちえ}).
Notas culturales
In business, saying 'I know' too quickly can seem like you are rushing the speaker. It's better to use 'shouchi itashimashita' (I have understood/accepted).
“その{件|けん}は{承知|しょうち}いたしました。”
When someone tells you something you already know, it's often polite to say 'Sou nan desu ka!' (Is that so!) to keep the conversation flowing.
“へぇー、そうなんですか！”
Students are encouraged to say 'shirimasen' clearly if they don't know an answer, rather than guessing, to show honesty.
“すみません、{知|し}りません。”
Inicios de conversación
この{近|ちか}くにおいしいラーメン{屋|や}さんを{知|し}っていますか？
あなたの{国|くに}で{一番|いちばん}{有名|ゆうめい}な{歌手|かしゅ}を{知|し}っていますか？
Errores comunes
{知|し}っていません
{知|し}りません
L1 Interference
ピアノを{知|し}っています (meaning 'I can play')
ピアノが{弾|ひ}けます
L1 Interference
（{先生|せんせい}に）{知|し}っていますか？
ご{存知|ぞんじ}ですか？
L1 Interference
{説明|せつめい}を{知|し}っています (meaning 'I understand')
{説明|せつめい}が{分|わ}かります
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Saber / Conocer
Japanese uses one verb but a specific 'state' grammar.
Savoir / Connaître
French uses different verbs; Japanese uses different aspects.
Wissen / Kennen
German has a strict lexical split that Japanese lacks.
知道 (zhīdào) / 认识 (rènshi)
Chinese uses two distinct compounds; Japanese uses one verb with conjugation.
알고 있다 (algo itda)
The grammatical structure is nearly a 1:1 match.
Saber / Conhecer
The negative form in Japanese is the biggest hurdle for Portuguese speakers.
عرف ('arafa) / علم ('alima)
Arabic verbs carry different weights of 'certainty' compared to Japanese.
Know
English 'know' is too broad; Japanese requires 'wakaru' or 'dekiru' for many 'know' situations.
Spotted in the Real World
“おまえ、{俺|おれ}のこと{知|し}ってる？”
Taki asks Mitsuha if she recognizes/knows him.
“それくらいは{知|し}っている”
The singer expresses that he knows he isn't the one for her.
Fácil de confundir
Both can be translated as 'to know' in English.
If you can replace 'know' with 'understand' or 'figure out,' use 'wakaru.' If you can replace it with 'be aware of,' use 'shiru.'
Preguntas frecuentes (3)
Because 'shiru' is the action of finding out. 'Shitte imasu' is the state of having found out and still knowing it.
grammar mechanicsNo, use 'gitaa ga hikemasu' (I can play guitar).
common mistakesIt's not rude, but it's very casual. Use it only with friends or family.
usage contexts
