How to say "know" in Japanese

• 知るしるJLPT N5approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe general word for know: knowing a fact or a person, being aware or conscious of something, and coming to know or learning of it. Start here for plain 'know'.
• 心得るこころえるJLPT N2approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbKnow in the sense of understanding or awareness: grasping a matter, being aware of it, or regarding it as the case. It is not the word for simply knowing a fact or a person.
  彼女かのじょは夫おっとの心理しんりを心得こころえている。↗

  She knows her husband's psychology.
• 承るうけたまわるJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbHumble language: to hear, to be told, and to know. It is really a humble way of saying you have heard or been told something, not the everyday word for plain 'know'.
• 存じるぞんじるJLPT N2approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbHumble language for know: knowing or being acquainted with a person or matter, said of one's own knowing. It is the humble counterpart of 知る, used when you want to say 'I know' politely.
  いっこうに存ぞんじません。↗

  I know nothing about it.
• わきまえるCommon
  ichidan verb, transitive verbIts 'know' sense covers manners, one's place, and the like: understanding and bearing such things in mind. Usually written in kana; not for knowing facts or people, so seldom the word for plain 'know'.
  私わたしたちが意識いしきしてほかの礼儀れいぎ正ただしさの形かたちをわきまえることが大切たいせつである。↗

  Therefore it is important for us to be aware of other forms of politeness.

Choose 「知る」 for knowing facts or people and coming to know things; 「心得る」 for understanding or regarding something as the case; 「わきまえる」 for knowing manners or one's place; 「承る」 or 「存じる」 for humble language.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 知るしるto know
• 心得るこころえるto know
• 承るうけたまわるto hear
• 存じるぞんじるto know
• 存ずるぞんずるto know
• ノウknow
• 存じ上げるぞんじあげるto know (someone)
• うかがい知るうかがいしるto infer
• わきまえるto know (manners, one's place, etc.)
• 味わうあじわうto experience
• 知らすしらすto know