zi1 dou3知道
Jyutpingzi1 dou3
Yalejī dou
Definition
To know or be aware of some information; to understand.
colloquialdaily actionscommunication
How it's used
Distinguish between knowing information and knowing a person. Use 知道 for facts or information, but use 識 for knowing someone or being acquainted with a person. When expressing that you have learned or realized something, it is common to add 咗 to indicate the change of state.
Examples
Do you know what time the meeting starts tomorrow?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 知道 when they mean to say they are familiar with a person or a place. For familiarity, always use 識 or 熟 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
