Meaning
Expressing familiarity or awareness of a fact or situation.
Cultural Background
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.
Meaning
Expressing familiarity or awareness of a fact or situation.
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.
Test Yourself
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.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesA: {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.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsBecause '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.
Related Phrases
{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
