“To know” in Japanese is 知る (しる), pronounced shiru.
Pronunciation
The word has 2 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To know, almost always in the form 知っています. But “I don’t know” is simply 知りません.
Example sentences
- あの人を知っていますか。あのひとをしっていますか。Do you know that person?
- いいえ、知りません。いいえ、しりません。No, I don’t know.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 知る. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 知る しる | know |
| Polite present | 知ります しります | know |
| Polite negative | 知りません しりません | don’t know |
| Polite past | 知りました しりました | past of “know” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 知らない しらない | don’t know (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 知った しった | past of “know” (casual) |
| て-form | 知って しって | know and… / please know (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 知りたい しりたい | want to know |
Quick practice
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Related words: Everyday verbs
FAQ
How do you say to know in Japanese?
To know in Japanese is 知る (しる), pronounced “shiru”.
How do you write to know in Japanese?
It's written 知る with kanji, or しる in hiragana. Both are read shiru.
Is 知る on the JLPT?
Yes. 知る (shiru) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.