If you’ve been learning Japanese, you’ve probably come across the verbs 知る (しる) and 分かる (わかる). Both are often translated into English as “to know” or “to understand,” but they aren’t interchangeable. Each word carries its own nuance, and using the wrong one can sound unnatural to native speakers. Let’s break down the difference.

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知しる : To Know, To Be Aware Of

知しる refers to acquiring knowledge or being aware of a fact. It often indicates that you have learned something, discovered it, or been informed about it.

• Example 1:
  日本にほんの歴史れきしを知しっています。
  I know Japanese history.
• Example 2:
  彼かれの名前なまえを知しっていますか。
  Do you know his name?

Notice that the common expression is 知しっている in the present tense. Simply saying 知しる usually sounds unnatural unless you’re talking about the moment you learn something.

• Example 3:
  今日初きょうはじめてその事実じじつを知しりました。
  I found out that fact for the first time today.

Key point: 知しる is about knowledge or awareness.

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分わかる : To Understand, To Comprehend

分わかる is about comprehension and grasping meaning. You use it when you understand what someone says, when something makes sense, or when you can figure something out.

• Example 1:
  日本語にほんごが少すこし分わかります。
  I understand a little Japanese.
• Example 2:
  説明せつめいを聞きいて分わかりました。
  I understood after hearing the explanation.

Unlike 知しる, 分わかる doesn’t mean you “know” something as a piece of knowledge—it’s about whether your brain processes it, whether you “get it.”

Key point: 分わかる is about comprehension and clarity.

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知しる vs 分わかる: The Subtle Difference

Let’s compare:

• 彼かれの住所じゅうしょを知しっています。
  I know his address. (I possess that knowledge.)
• 彼かれの住所じゅうしょが分わかります。
  I can figure out his address. / I understand where he lives. (I can comprehend it, or I can navigate there.)

Another pair:

• この漢字かんじの意味いみを知しっていますか。
  Do you know the meaning of this kanji?
• この漢字かんじの意味いみが分わかりますか。
  Do you understand the meaning of this kanji?

The difference is subtle:

• 知しる = having the knowledge.
• 分わかる = being able to grasp or make sense of it.

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Common Mistakes Learners Make

• ❌ Saying 知しります when you mean “I know.”
  Instead, say 知しっています.

Quick Summary

• 知しる (知しっている) = to know, to have knowledge of something.
• 分わかる = to understand, to grasp or comprehend something.

👉 If it’s about knowledge → use 知しる.
👉 If it’s about understanding → use 分わかる.

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Final Tip

When in doubt, think of it like this:

• If you could replace it with “I know,” use 知しっている.
• If you could replace it with “I understand” or “I get it,” use 分わかる.

With practice, the distinction will feel natural—and your Japanese will sound more fluent!!

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