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谁知道 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
谁知道shéizhīdàoGod knows...HSK 7, unknown, 30 strokes, Very Hard
谁知道shéizhīdàoWho would have imagined...?HSK 7, unknown, 30 strokes, Very Hard
shéizhīdào(shei2zhi1dao4)shei zhi dao T2
  1. 1God knows...
  2. 2Who would have imagined...?
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March 24, 2026

谁知道(誰知道)shéizhīdào(shei2zhi1dao4)

The phrase '谁知道' literally translates to 'who knows'. It is often used to express uncertainty or to indicate that the speaker does not have an answer to a question. This expression can convey a sense of resignation or surprise about an unexpected situation.

Strokes30DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, expressing uncertainty is often seen as a way to show humility or to avoid making absolute statements. The phrase '谁知道' reflects this cultural tendency to acknowledge the limits of one's knowledge.

Memory Tip

Imagine a scene where someone is puzzled by a mysterious riddle. As they scratch their head, they exclaim, 'Who knows?' The character '谁' (shéi) looks like a person with a question mark above their head, and '知道' (zhī dào) means 'to know'. Together, they embody the essence of uncertainty.

Meanings of 谁知道

shéizhīdào(shei2zhi1dao4)
1God knows...
2Who would have imagined...?
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About 谁知道

谁知道Simplified
誰知道Traditional
30Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI Study Notes for 谁知道

Usage Notes

'谁知道' is typically used in informal contexts. A common mistake is to use it in formal writing, which may sound out of place. Be aware of the intonation; the first two tones (shéi and zhī) should be pronounced clearly, while the last tone (dào) should be emphasized.

HSK Study Tips

Although '谁知道' is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it is a useful expression for intermediate learners. It connects to other phrases expressing uncertainty or surprise, such as '怎么会' (zěnme huì) meaning 'how could it be?'. Focus on using it in everyday conversations to enhance fluency.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse '谁知道' with '谁' (who) and mistakenly use it in place of '谁' alone. For example, saying '我不知道谁知道' (I don't know who knows) instead of simply saying '谁知道' (Who knows?) is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 谁知道

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Component Characters

谁shéiwho
HSK 110 strokes讠
View full entry
知zhīto know
HSK 68 strokes矢
View full entry
道dàodirection
HSK 412 strokes辶
View full entry

How to say God knows... in Chinese

“God knows...” in Chinese is谁知道shéizhīdào

The phrase '谁知道' literally translates to 'who knows'. It is often used to express uncertainty or to indicate that the speaker does not have an answer to a question. This expression can convey a sense of resignation or surprise about an unexpected situation.

When to use 谁知道

'谁知道' is typically used in informal contexts. A common mistake is to use it in formal writing, which may sound out of place. Be aware of the intonation; the first two tones (shéi and zhī) should be pronounced clearly, while the last tone (dào) should be emphasized.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes confuse '谁知道' with '谁' (who) and mistakenly use it in place of '谁' alone. For example, saying '我不知道谁知道' (I don't know who knows) instead of simply saying '谁知道' (Who knows?) is incorrect.

Write 谁知道

谁
知
道

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Frequently Asked Questions about 谁知道

It's generally best to avoid '谁知道' in formal contexts, as it is more suited for casual conversations.

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