English · Everyday verbs
Pahchaanna in English: To know (पहचानना)
to know
Hindi (Devanagari)
पहचानना
Hindi (English letters)
pahchaanna
पहचानना (pahchaanna) can be expressed as “to know” in English. Know a person means to be familiar with them: “I know Priya.” Recognize means to identify someone when you see or hear them. Meeting someone once and knowing them well are different.
“pahchaanna” kehna ho, to English mein “to know” use karein. Neeche poore sentences aur Hindi meanings saath diye hain. Context dekhkar apna sentence chunein.
At a reunion
I know you — we met in college.
मैं आपको पहचानता हूँ — हम कॉलेज में मिले थे।
main aapko pahchaanta hoon — hum college mein mile the.
How to pronounce “to know”
Say it in English
too noh
This is a sound guide for English, using a common American pronunciation. CAPITAL letters mark the stronger syllable in a longer word. Say the example sentence at a comfortable pace; Hindi spelling does not map sound for sound to English.
to know: Hindi meaning and useful expressions
| English | Hindi meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| to know | पहचानना pahchaanna Know a person means to be familiar with them: “I know Priya.” Recognize means to identify someone when you see or hear them. Meeting someone once and knowing them well are different. | Know a person means to be familiar with them: “I know Priya.” Recognize means to identify someone when you see or hear them. Meeting someone once and knowing them well are different. |
| I know you — we met in college. | मैं आपको पहचानता हूँ — हम कॉलेज में मिले थे। main aapko pahchaanta hoon — hum college mein mile the. At a reunion | At a reunion |
| Do you know this person? | क्या आप इस व्यक्ति को पहचानते हैं? kya aap is vyakti ko pahchaante hain? Security check | Security check |
The dictionary expression is “to know”. In a sentence, choose the verb form for the subject and time; the examples show three complete patterns.
To is part of an infinitive such as to go, but it does not appear before every English verb. After can, could, will or should, use the base form directly.
How to use “to know” in English sentences
1. At a reunion
I know you — we met in college.
मैं आपको पहचानता हूँ — हम कॉलेज में मिले थे।
main aapko pahchaanta hoon — hum college mein mile the.
2. Security check
Do you know this person?
क्या आप इस व्यक्ति को पहचानते हैं?
kya aap is vyakti ko pahchaante hain?
3. Can't place a face
The face is familiar but I can't recognize the name.
चेहरा परिचित है पर नाम नहीं पहचान पा रहा।
chehra parichit hai par naam nahi pahchaan paa raha.
Common mistakes with “to know”
Instead of
Me know you — we met in college.
Say this
I know you — we met in college.
Use I for the person doing or experiencing the action. Me cannot replace I as the subject of this sentence.
Instead of
you Do know this person?
Say this
Do you know this person?
In this direct question, the helping verb comes before the subject. Keep the question order shown in the corrected line.
Spotting a former teacher in a café
Read both roles. Say the English lines out loud before checking the Hindi meaning.
Partner
Do you know/recognize them?
Show Hindi meaning
क्या आप उन्हें पहचानते हैं?
kya aap unhen pahchaante hain?
You
Yes, I know them — that's our teacher.
Show Hindi meaning
हाँ, मैं पहचानता हूँ — हमारी टीचर हैं।
haan, main pahchaanta hoon — hamari teacher hain.
Partner
Shall we go say hello? Maybe they'll recognize us too.
Show Hindi meaning
चलकर नमस्ते कहें? शायद वे भी पहचानें।
chalkar namaste kahen? shayad ve bhi pahchaayen.
You
Yes, I think they'll know us.
Show Hindi meaning
हाँ, मुझे लगता है वे हमें पहचानेंगी।
haan, mujhe lagta hai ve hamen pahchaayengi.
Your turn: use “to know”
Say this in English: क्या आप इस व्यक्ति को पहचानते हैं? (kya aap is vyakti ko pahchaante hain?)
Reveal sample answer
Do you know this person?
क्या आप इस व्यक्ति को पहचानते हैं?
kya aap is vyakti ko pahchaante hain?
Compare your word order with “Do you know this person?” Then use the same pattern to say something about your own day.
Questions about “to know” in English
Pahchaanna ko English mein kya kehte hain?
पहचानना (pahchaanna) can be expressed as “to know” in English. Know a person means to be familiar with them: “I know Priya.” Recognize means to identify someone when you see or hear them. Meeting someone once and knowing them well are different.
What does “to know” mean in Hindi?
In the sense taught here, “to know” means पहचानना (pahchaanna). Know a person means to be familiar with them: “I know Priya.” Recognize means to identify someone when you see or hear them. Meeting someone once and knowing them well are different.
How do I use “to know” in a sentence?
Do you know this person? Hindi meaning: क्या आप इस व्यक्ति को पहचानते हैं? (kya aap is vyakti ko pahchaante hain?). The dictionary expression is “to know”. In a sentence, choose the verb form for the subject and time; the examples show three complete patterns.
What should I watch for when using “to know”?
Know a person means to be familiar with them: “I know Priya.” Recognize means to identify someone when you see or hear them. Meeting someone once and knowing them well are different.
