\tThe particularly thorny issue of \u77e5\u9053 (zh\u012bdào) versus \u8ba4\u8bc6 (rènshi). Both approximately hover around the English “to know”, but there are very important differences between the two.<\/p>\n
\tThere are certain circumstances where usage might be interchangeable, but more often than not you’ll want to be careful which you use. If you are truly looking to impress your Chinese friends or teacher with your progress, nail this distinction!<\/p>\n
\tLet’s take a look at each word separately, with a brief English explanation and a few simple examples. We’ll finish with 3 important takeaways.<\/p>\n
\t1. \u77e5\u9053- zh\u012bdào Definition: To know, to be aware of<\/strong><\/p>\n \tIf you are looking for a default way to say “I know…”, \u77e5\u9053 is usually your best bet. Its range of use and flexibility is broader than \u8ba4\u8bc6. You can use it for facts, objects, or people you aren’t personally acquainted with, but are aware of or have a general understanding about.<\/p>\n \tExamples:<\/strong><\/p>\n \t2. \u8ba4\u8bc6- rènshi Definition: To know, understand, be familiar with, to meet (a person)<\/strong><\/p>\n \tUsing \u8ba4\u8bc6 indicates a degree of familiarity with an object, person, or idea. It implies a level of understanding that goes beyond \u77e5\u9053, and connotes a level of personal familiarity.<\/p>\n \tExamples:<\/strong><\/p>\n \tSo…Remember This!<\/p>\n \t1) \u77e5\u9053 is probably your “go-to” when expressing “to know”. Somebody tells you not to be late for your appointment? “\u6211\u77e5\u9053!”. Somebody asks you to explain the Higgs boson particle? “\u6211\u4e0d\u77e5\u9053!”.<\/p>\n \t2) “Do you know Tom Cruise?” Sure, I’ve heard of Tom Cruise, I’ve seen many of his movies, I casually follow his religious and relationship exploits online, but I have never personally met him. Thus, I \u77e5\u9053 Tom Cruise \u662f\u8c01, but don’t \u8ba4\u8bc6 him.<\/p>\n \tSimilarly, to say “\u6211\u77e5\u9053\u4e0a\u6d77” Means “I’ve heard of Shanghai”, where “\u6211\u8ba4\u8bc6\u4e0a\u6d77” means “I”m familiar with Shanghai”. You should probably choose the friend who \u8ba4\u8bc6 Shanghai to show you around.<\/p>\n \tThis is a great example where the Chinese is more precise than the English!<\/p>\n \t3) If you “realize or recognize something”, probably use \u8ba4\u8bc6. If you went through the process of not knowing something, to becoming privy to it, indicate your level of personal involvement by using \u8ba4\u8bc6.<\/p>\n
\t\u4f60\u600e\u4e48\u77e5\u9053\uff1f<\/div>\n
\t\u4ed6\u77e5\u9053\u600e\u4e48\u6837\u8bf4\u4e09\u79cd\u8bed\u8a00<\/div>\n
\t\u4f60\u77e5\u9053\u6bd4\u8d5b\u7684\u7ed3\u679c\uff1f<\/div>\n
\t\u6211\u4e0d\u77e5\u9053\u8001\u5e08\u7684\u610f\u601d<\/div>\n
\t\u4ed6\u7684\u76ee\u6807\u662f\u8ba9\u4eba\u77e5\u9053<\/div>\n
\t\u5f88\u9ad8\u5174\u8ba4\u8bc6\u4f60\uff01<\/div>\n
\t\u6211\u4eec\u662f\u5728\u5927\u5b66\u8ba4\u8bc6\u7684<\/div>\n
\t\u6211\u8ba4\u8bc6\u8fd9\u4e2a\u6c49\u5b57<\/div>\n
\t\u4ed6\u8ba4\u8bc6\u5230\u8fd9\u662f\u4e00\u4ef6\u574f\u4e8b<\/div>\n
\t\u4f60\u5f97\u8ba4\u8bc6\u5230\u4f60\u7684\u9519\u8bef<\/div>\n