知
know, perceive
At a glance · 知
Evolution of the glyph
Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.
知字小篆从矢从口，会意为言辞敏捷如矢，本义为知道、知晓。甲骨文未见。
What the sketch shows
Origins & notes
知本义为知道、了解。
Structure
会意字，从矢（疾速）从口（言），表示言速而明理。
At a glance
Pinyinzhī
Radical矢
Strokes8
UnicodeU+77E5
Character type会意
Theme动作
Six languages, one character
Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.
English
know, perceive
Zhi is an associative character of arrow and mouth, meaning to know and perceive.
Français
savoir, percevoir
Zhi est un caractère associatif de flèche et bouche, signifiant savoir et percevoir.
Español
saber, percibir
Zhi es un carácter asociativo de flecha y boca, significa saber y percibir.
العربية
يعرف، يدرك
تشي حرف تركيبي لسهم وفم، يعني المعرفة والإدراك.
Русский
знать, понимать
Чжи — ассоциативный знак стрелы и рта, означает знать и постигать.
Common words
- 知道zhī dàoknow
- 知识zhī shíknowledge