Japanese word

存じる

Pronunciation

Romajizonjiru

Meaning

  • verbknow

Example

先生のお名前は存じません。sen sei no o na mae wa zon ji ma se n

I do not know the teacher's name.

Illustration for 存じる (know)

More examples

その問題の背景については、よく存じております。so no mon dai no hai kei ni tsu i te wa yo ku zon ji te o ri ma su

I know the background of that issue well.

Core concept

Expresses knowing about something or being acquainted with someone while placing the speaker in a humble, formal stance.

Common phrases

  • お名前を存じませんo na mae o zon ji ma se n

    not know someone's name

  • その件は存じませんso no ken wa zon ji ma se n

    not know about that matter

Similar words

知るshiru: To have knowledge of a fact, thing, or person.
存じ上げるzonjiageru: To know a person in a humble and respectful way.
承知するshōchisuru: To know and accept a fact, request, or situation.

Definition in Japanese

物事や人について知っていることを、話し手がへりくだって表す。mono goto ya hito ni tsu i te shi tte i ru ko to o hana shi te ga he ri ku da tte arawa su

Word origin

The verb 存じる (zonjiru) is a later form of 存ずる (zonzuru), based on 存 (zon, "exist"), and came to function as a humble expression for 知る (shiru).

Usage tips

  • In formal Japanese, 存じません (zonjimasen) often expresses "I do not know" more humbly than the neutral 知りません (shirimasen).

Other meanings

  • be aware ofverb
  • be acquainted withverb

Word lists with this word