Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Know" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "know", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
しります
しります (shirimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
わきまえる
わきまえる (wakimaeru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "know" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between しります and わきまえる.
In Japanese, しります (しります (shirimasu)) is typically associated with "to know" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents The polite form of 知る.
On the other hand, わきまえる (わきまえる (wakimaeru)) maps to "to know one's place, to be discreet, to discern, to understand proper conduct" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Emphasizes understanding social norms, manners, or one's position and acting accordingly. Often implies good judgment in social situations.. A literal translation of "know" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "しります"
彼の名前をよくしりません。
I don't know his name well.
Bilingual Context for "わきまえる"
彼は TPO をわきまえている人だ。
He is someone who understands proper etiquette (time, place, occasion).
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼の名前をよくしりません。" (Meaning: "I don't know his name well.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "しります" fits here because it means "to know" in the context of: "I don't know his name well.". "わきまえる" represents "to know one's place, to be discreet, to discern, to understand proper conduct".