знать vs понимать

znat' vs ponimat' — know facts/people vs understand meaning

What it really means

Знать is to possess knowledge: know a fact, person, place, rule, or language. Понимать is to grasp meaning, logic, speech, or another person's feelings. You can знать правило yet not понимать, why it works.

Знать кого-то also means be acquainted with someone. Понимать often takes a clause or an object whose meaning is being processed.

Examples in natural speech

Я знаю ответ.
I know the answer.
Ты знаешь этого врача?
Do you know this doctor?
Я понимаю вопрос, но не знаю ответа.
I understand the question but do not know the answer.
Она хорошо понимает по-русски.
She understands Russian well.
Мы не понимали, почему он ушёл.
We did not understand why he left.

Common mistakes

Do not use знать for “understand this explanation”: say понимать объяснение. Do not use понимать a person simply for “know/be acquainted with”: Я знаю Анну.

Memory tip

Знать is information in your memory; понимать is meaning that makes sense to you.

Frequently asked questions

Can I say Я знаю русский?

Yes, it means “I know Russian,” often about knowledge; Я понимаю по-русски stresses comprehension.

How do I say I understand?

Say Я понимаю.

Does знать mean know a person?

Yes: Я знаю его means I know him/am acquainted with him.

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