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biết
/ˈbiət̚˧˨ʔ/
know
Tôi biết anh ấy từ năm ngoái.
I know him from last year.
general
To have information or awareness about something or someone.
Cô ấy biết tất cả các thủ tục.
She knows all the procedures.
Bạn có biết địa chỉ của anh ấy không?
Do you know his address?
Used for factual knowledge, skills, or familiarity with people/places.
general
To be aware of or recognize a fact, situation, or truth.
Tôi biết anh ấy đã nói dối.
I know he lied.
Cô ấy biết rõ vấn đề này.
She knows this issue well.
Often implies certainty or prior awareness.
general
To have experienced or encountered something.
Tôi đã biết nỗi buồn này rồi.
I’ve known this sorrow before.
Used for past experiences or personal encounters.
Collocations
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguish 'biết' and 'hiểu'
'Biết' implies factual or procedural knowledge (e.g., 'Tôi biết bơi' = 'I know how to swim'), while 'hiểu' emphasizes comprehension or understanding (e.g., 'Tôi hiểu vấn đề' = 'I understand the issue').
Gold Rule
Use 'biết' for skills or facts
Attach 'biết' to verbs or nouns to indicate ability or knowledge: 'biết nấu ăn' (know how to cook), 'biết tiếng Pháp' (know French).
Word Origin
From Proto-Vietic *ɓɛːʔ, related to Proto-Mon-Khmer *ɓiːʔ. Cognate with Muong *biể* and possibly Thai *รู้* (rúu, 'to know').
Usage Notes
Used broadly for knowledge, skills, or familiarity. In negative contexts (không biết), it often implies ignorance or uncertainty. The verb is often paired with objects or infinitive verbs (e.g., biết làm, 'know how to do').
Word Breakdown
biết
to know
rootTừ Điển Việt Anh