Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Knowing" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "knowing", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
ご存知
ごぞんじ (gozonji)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
ご存じ
ごぞんじ (gozonji)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "knowing" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between ご存知 and ご存じ.
In Japanese, ご存知 (ごぞんじ (gozonji)) is typically associated with "knowing (honorific for 知っている)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents An honorific expression used when referring to someone else's knowledge or asking if they know something. 「〜ですか」を付けて疑問文でよく使われます。.
On the other hand, ご存じ (ごぞんじ (gozonji)) maps to "knowing, being acquainted with (honorific)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Honorific. A literal translation of "knowing" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "ご存知"
先生は、このニュースをご存知ですか。
Sensei, are you aware of this news?
Bilingual Context for "ご存じ"
この件について、社長はご存じですか。
Does the president know about this matter?
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "先生は、このニュースを ＿＿＿ ですか。" (Meaning: "Sensei, are you aware of this news?")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "ご存知" fits here because it means "knowing (honorific for 知っている)" in the context of: "Sensei, are you aware of this news?". "ご存じ" represents "knowing, being acquainted with (honorific)".