know
gb/nˈoʊ/ us/nˈoʊ/
A1
Kiingereza
~ 100
Maana
maana 0
Kitenzi
A1
state
1
Be aware of a fact
To have information in your mind.
Muundo wa matumizi:
to know [something]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners sometimes confuse 'know' with 'learn'; 'know' is for having information already, 'learn' is for getting it.
Visawe
understand (Implies grasping the meaning, not just being aware of the fact.)
Vinyume
ignore (Means to deliberately not pay attention to information.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
know the answer
|know the facts
|know the truth
|know the rules
|know the details
Mada
communication
|knowledge
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|education
Mifano
- I know the capital of France is Paris.
- She knows that he is lying.
- Do you know the rules of the game?
- We know the meeting starts at nine.
- They know the answer to the question.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- I know your name.
- He knows my phone number.
- Do you know this song?
- We know the way to the park.
- They know my teacher.
Kitenzi
A1
state
2
Be familiar with someone/something
To have met or seen someone or something before.
Muundo wa matumizi:
to know [someone/something]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners sometimes use 'meet' instead of 'know' when they mean familiarity over time.
Visawe
recognize (Focuses on identifying from memory, not general familiarity.)
Vinyume
meet (Refers to encountering someone for the first time.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
know each other
|know a person well
|know the city
|know the area
Mada
relationships
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- I know her from school.
- Do you know this restaurant?
- They know each other very well.
- We know the city like the back of our hand.
- He knows that shop; he goes there often.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- I know my neighbor.
- She knows my brother.
- Do you know this place?
- We know our teacher.
- They know that shop.
Kitenzi
A2
state
3
Understand deeply
To understand something well because you have learned about it or done it before.
Muundo wa matumizi:
to know [how/why/what]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners sometimes forget to use 'how', 'why', or 'what' after 'know' when talking about understanding processes or reasons.
Visawe
comprehend (More formal; emphasizes complete mental grasp.)
Vinyume
misunderstand (Fail to correctly understand something.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
know how to do something
|know what to expect
|know why it happens
Mada
education
|skills
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- I know how to swim.
- She knows why the machine stopped working.
- They know what it takes to win.
- He knows how computers work.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- I know how to read.
- She knows how to make a cake.
- They know what this means.
- We know why he is late.
Kitenzi
B1
state
4
Recognize by sight/sound
To see or hear something and remember it from before.
Muundo wa matumizi:
to know [someone/something] by [sight/sound/name]
Visawe
identify (More formal; emphasizes accurate recognition.)
Vinyume
mistake for (To wrongly think something is someone else.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
know by sight
|know by name
Mada
perception
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- I don't know him by name, but I recognize his face.
- She knew the song as soon as it started playing.
- Do you know this smell?
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- I know her face.
- He knows this song.
- We know this voice.
Kitenzi
A2
state
5
Be certain about a fact
To be sure that something is true.
Muundo wa matumizi:
to know (that) [clause]
Visawe
be sure (Slightly less formal; more conversational.)
Vinyume
doubt (To feel uncertain about something.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
know for sure
|know full well
Mada
certainty
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- I know she'll say yes.
- He knows it's going to rain tomorrow.
- We know this is the right decision.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- I know you are right.
- She knows it will rain.
- We know he is here.
Sarufi
Umbo la kamusi
know
IPA
GB/nˈoʊ/
US/nˈoʊ/
Silabi na mkazo
know (silabi 1)
Stress on 1st syllable (know)
Maumbo ya neno
Verb
- Base: know
- 3rd Person Singular: knows
- Present Participle: knowing
- Past: knew
- Past Participle: known
Familia ya neno
Forms
knows
verb
knowing
verb
knew
verb
known
verb
Core family
knowledge
noun B1
knowledgeable
adjective B2
Negative and opposite forms
unknown
adjective B1
unknowingly
adverb B2
Related words
know-how
noun B2
Advanced or less common
knowingly
adverb B2
Vidokezo muhimu
- Irregular past: knew Verb
- Irregular past participle: known Verb
Semi
be in the know
1/bˈi ˈɪn ðə nˈoʊ/
idiom
informal
Have special information others lack
To have special or secret information that others do not have.
Mifano
- Only a few people are in the know about the project.
- He likes to feel in the know about company gossip.
know by heart
1/nˈoʊ bˈaɪ hˈɑɹt/
idiom
Remember exactly without looking
To remember something perfectly without looking at it.
Mifano
- I know all the lyrics by heart.
- She knows her phone number by heart.
know for sure
1/nˈoʊ fɚ ʃˈʊɹ/
fixed phrase
Be completely certain about something
To be completely sure that something is true.
Mifano
- I don't know for sure if he'll come.
- She knows for sure that she passed the exam.
not that I know of
1/nˈɑt ðˈæt ˈaɪ nˈoʊ əv/
fixed phrase
Say you are not aware of something now
Used when you are not aware of something being true at this time.
Mifano
- Is he married? Not that I know of.
- Are there any delays? Not that I know of.
you know what I mean
1/jˈu nˈoʊ wˈʌt ˈaɪ mˈin/
fixed phrase
informal
Check if listener understands meaning/feeling
Used to check if someone understands what you mean or feel.
Mifano
- It's been a rough day, you know what I mean?
- He's a bit strange, you know what I mean?