zhīshi: 知识 - Knowledge, Information

• Keywords: zhishi, 知识, knowledge in Chinese, learn Chinese knowledge, Chinese word for information, what is zhishi, zhīshì, Chinese for knowledge, HSK 3 word
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 知识 (zhīshi), the fundamental Chinese word for “knowledge” and “information.” This page breaks down its characters, cultural significance, and practical use in modern China. Learn how 知识 (zhīshi) is more than just facts, reflecting a deep-seated cultural respect for education, and how it differs from related concepts like “wisdom” (智慧) and “culture” (文化). Ideal for beginners aiming for a deeper understanding of essential Chinese vocabulary.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhīshì
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: Knowledge, information, learning, or science.
• In a Nutshell: 知识 (zhīshi) is the most common and direct way to say “knowledge” in Chinese. It refers to the facts, information, understanding, and skills a person acquires through experience or education. It's a broad and neutral term that covers everything from academic subjects you learn in school to practical know-how for daily life.

• 知 (zhī): This character means “to know” or “to be aware of.” It's composed of 矢 (shǐ), meaning “arrow,” and 口 (kǒu), meaning “mouth.” One can imagine this as speaking with the precision and directness of an arrow, implying clear and certain knowledge.
• 识 (shí): This character means “to recognize,” “to identify,” or “to be acquainted with.” It combines the “speech” radical 言 (yán) with the phonetic component 只 (zhī). The character suggests the ability to identify or recognize things, often through naming or description.
• Together, 知 (zhī) and 识 (shí) create a comprehensive term. 知识 (zhīshi) represents not just deeply *knowing* a subject (知) but also being able to *recognize* and identify its components (识). It’s the combination of awareness and recognition.

In Chinese culture, 知识 (zhīshi) is held in extremely high regard, a value deeply rooted in Confucian philosophy. For centuries, education and the accumulation of knowledge were seen as the primary path to self-improvement, social mobility, and earning respect for oneself and one's family. The ancient and rigorous imperial examination system (科举, kējǔ) made scholarly knowledge the gateway to prestigious government positions, cementing the idea that 知识 is power. A helpful comparison is to the Western concept of “knowledge.” While functionally similar, the Chinese context traditionally placed a stronger emphasis on received wisdom—knowledge passed down from teachers, elders, and classic texts. While modern Western pedagogy often champions critical inquiry from the start, the Chinese approach often builds a strong foundation of established 知识 first, before encouraging students to challenge it. The famous phrase 知识就是力量 (Zhīshi jiùshì lìliàng), a direct translation of Francis Bacon's “Knowledge is power,” has been wholeheartedly adopted in China and is a common motto in schools and universities, reflecting the modern continuation of this age-old value.

知识 (zhīshi) is a versatile word used constantly in various modern contexts.

• Academic and Formal Settings: It's the standard term for knowledge within a specific field.
  • e.g., `历史知识 (lìshǐ zhīshi)` - historical knowledge, `电脑知识 (diànnǎo zhīshi)` - computer knowledge.
• Everyday Life: It can refer to practical information or common sense.
  • e.g., `生活小知识 (shēnghuó xiǎo zhīshi)` - “little life knowledge” or life hacks.
• Business and Technology: It's used in corporate and tech jargon.
  • e.g., `知识管理 (zhīshi guǎnlǐ)` - knowledge management, `知识产权 (zhīshi chǎnquán)` - intellectual property rights (IPR).
• Social Media and Internet: The concept is central to Q&A platforms like Zhihu (知乎), whose name literally means “Do you know?”. You'll often see phrases like `知识分享 (zhīshi fēnxiǎng)` - knowledge sharing.

• Example 1:
  • 他有很多关于中国历史的知识。
  • Pinyin: Tā yǒu hěn duō guānyú Zhōngguó lìshǐ de zhīshi.
  • English: He has a lot of knowledge about Chinese history.
  • Analysis: A straightforward example showing 知识 used to mean factual knowledge about an academic subject.
• Example 2:
  • 我们要不断学习新的知识。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen yào bùduàn xuéxí xīn de zhīshi.
  • English: We must constantly learn new knowledge.
  • Analysis: This sentence reflects the cultural value of lifelong learning. 知识 here refers to new information and skills in a general sense.
• Example 3:
  • 这本书里充满了有用的知识。
  • Pinyin: Zhè běn shū lǐ chōngmǎn le yǒuyòng de zhīshi.
  • English: This book is full of useful knowledge.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates that 知识 can be contained in objects like books. `有用 (yǒuyòng)` means “useful.”
• Example 4:
  • 你需要一些基本的电脑知识才能做这个工作。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xūyào yīxiē jīběn de diànnǎo zhīshi cái néng zuò zhège gōngzuò.
  • English: You need some basic computer knowledge to be able to do this job.
  • Analysis: Here, 知识 refers to practical skills and foundational information required for a task.
• Example 5:
  • 知识就是力量。
  • Pinyin: Zhīshi jiùshì lìliàng.
  • English: Knowledge is power.
  • Analysis: A famous and influential saying that is used frequently in educational and motivational contexts in China.
• Example 6:
  • 他的法律知识非常丰富。
  • Pinyin: Tā de fǎlǜ zhīshi fēicháng fēngfù.
  • English: His legal knowledge is very rich.
  • Analysis: Shows how 知识 is combined with a specific field (法律, law). `丰富 (fēngfù)` is a common adjective to describe a vast amount of knowledge.
• Example 7:
  • 保护知识产权对创新很重要。
  • Pinyin: Bǎohù zhīshi chǎnquán duì chuàngxīn hěn zhòngyào.
  • English: Protecting intellectual property rights is very important for innovation.
  • Analysis: A formal, technical usage of 知识 as part of a compound noun, `知识产权 (zhīshi chǎnquán)`.
• Example 8:
  • 父母应该教孩子一些安全知识。
  • Pinyin: Fùmǔ yīnggāi jiāo háizi yīxiē ānquán zhīshi.
  • English: Parents should teach children some safety knowledge.
  • Analysis: This refers to practical, life-saving information, showing the word's versatility.
• Example 9:
  • 我们的公司有一个巨大的知识库。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de gōngsī yǒu yīgè jùdà de zhīshikù.
  • English: Our company has a huge knowledge base.
  • Analysis: A modern, technical term, `知识库 (zhīshikù)`, which is a direct parallel to the English “knowledge base.”
• Example 10:
  • 有知识不代表有智慧。
  • Pinyin: Yǒu zhīshi bù dàibiǎo yǒu zhìhuì.
  • English: Having knowledge doesn't mean you have wisdom.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly highlights the important nuance between 知识 (zhīshi) and `智慧 (zhìhuì)`, which is explained in the next section.

• 知识 (zhīshi) vs. 智慧 (zhìhuì) - Knowledge vs. Wisdom: This is the most crucial distinction for learners.
  • 知识 (zhīshi) is the collection of facts, data, and information. It can be memorized and stored.
  • 智慧 (zhìhuì) is wisdom, insight, and the ability to use knowledge to make good judgments.
  • A good way to remember this: “A computer can have a lot of 知识, but it has no 智慧.”
• 知识 (zhīshi) vs. 文化 (wénhuà) - Knowledge vs. Culture:
  • 知识 (zhīshi) is about what you know.
  • 文化 (wénhuà) is about a way of life, including customs, arts, social norms, and values.
  • You can have 知识 *about* a 文化, but the two are not interchangeable. For example, knowing the date of the Chinese New Year is 知识; celebrating it with your family is part of 文化.
• False Friend: “Information”: While 知识 can be translated as “information,” the Chinese word `信息 (xìnxī)` is often a better fit for raw, unprocessed data, messages, or news. 知识 implies that the information has been structured, learned, and understood.
  • Incorrect: `我收到了一个重要的知识。` (I received an important knowledge.)
  • Correct: `我收到了一个重要的信息。` (Wǒ shōudào le yīgè zhòngyào de xìnxī.) - I received an important piece of information/a message.

• 智慧 (zhìhuì) - Wisdom, sagacity. The deeper ability to apply knowledge correctly.
• 学问 (xuéwèn) - Learning, scholarship. Refers to a more profound, deep, and systematic body of knowledge, often with academic connotations.
• 信息 (xìnxī) - Information, news, message. More granular and less processed than 知识.
• 常识 (chángshí) - Common sense, general knowledge that everyone is expected to know.
• 教育 (jiàoyù) - Education. The system and process of transmitting 知识.
• 文化 (wénhuà) - Culture. The broader context in which knowledge exists and is valued.
• 科学 (kēxué) - Science. A specific and systematic field of 知识.
• 知识分子 (zhīshi fènzǐ) - Intellectual, scholar. A person whose social role is defined by their 知识.