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Jun

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Oct 31, 2022 12:14:45 AM

English-to-Japanese Translation Basic: Known

The translation of "known", which seems to be a very basic word, is not so simple. Although the mathematical term 既知 (kichi; already-know) is sometimes used, this is not a word that business people use every day and not appropriate even for a literal translation. If you have to explain that the word kichi is used because it is a composite of 既に (already) and 知っている (known), this translation is not working. Know's basic meaning of 知る (shiru; know) is the acquisition of knowledge and information by a subject, such as a person or animal. However, "known" is a past participle and refers to a state that the information is widely recognised. The reason why "known" is difficult to understand may be that the kanji character 知 for "knowledge" does not fit the context of the English "known".

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