Explore 識 through words for knowledge, awareness and recognition. Learn each reading together with its context.

The idea

識 has 19 strokes and the common on-reading しき. Read 知識（ちしき）, 意識（いしき） and 認識（にんしき） as whole words; follow the linked stroke diagram.

Patterns to compare
WordReadingExample in context
知識ちしきShe has a broad knowledge of history.
意識いしきHe is conscious of his health.
認識にんしきWe recognize this problem.

Examples

  • 彼女かのじょは歴史れきしの知識ちしきが豊富ほうふです。She has a broad knowledge of history.
  • コンピューターの基礎きそ知識ちしきを学まなびました。I learned basic knowledge about computers.
  • 彼かれは健康けんこうを意識いしきしています。He is conscious of his health.
  • 違ちがいを意識いしきしてください。Please be aware of the difference.
  • 私わたしたちはこの問題もんだいを認識にんしきしています。We recognize this problem.
  • 二人ふたりは状況じょうきょうの認識にんしきが違ちがいます。The two have different views of the situation.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

知識 is acquired knowledge, 意識 is awareness or consciousness, and 認識 is recognition or understanding of a situation. They are not interchangeable.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 知識 in hiragana.

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    ちしき

    知識 is ちしき: it refers to knowledge acquired through learning.

  2. Write the reading of 意識 in hiragana.

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    いしき

    意識 is いしき: 意識する means to be aware of something.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: 認＿（にんしき）［識／職］.

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    識

    識 completes 認識, read にんしき; 認識する means to recognize or understand.

Use it today

Write 識 using the stroke diagram. Cover the table, read the three words and make a sentence with one of them.