Japanese "I Know" vs "I Understand": Shitte Imasu, Wakarimasu (JLPT N5)

Japanese "I Know" vs "I Understand": Shitte Imasu, Wakarimasu (JLPT N5)

Learn JLPT N5 "know/understand" verbs: shitte imasu (I know/have knowledge), wakarimasu (I understand), shirimasen (I don't know), wakarimasen (I don't understand). Avoid common mistake "shitteimasen ❌" and use shirimasen ✓.

JLPT N5 "Know" vs "Understand": Shitte Imasu & Wakarimasu

I know. I don't know.

Shitte Imasu: Knowledge/Information

  • しっています。Shitte imasu. I have knowledge/information. = have knowledge → I know.
    (casual　しって(い)る。Shitte(i)ru.）

 

Wakarimasu: Understanding

  • わかります。Wakarimasu. I understand. (I know.)

 

Negatives: Shirimasen & Wakarimasen

  • しりません。Shirimasen. I have no knowledge/information. = no knowledge → I don't know.
    (casual)　しらない。Shiranai.
  • わかりません。Wakarimasen. I don't understand. (I don't know.)

 

Common Mistake

  • X しっていません。Shitteimasen. ← no good, incorrect, wrong

Updated Dec. 2025