At a Glance
| Expression | Reading | Register | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 知ってる？ | shitteru? | Casual | Do you know? |
| 知ってますか？ | shitte masu ka? | Polite | Do you know? |
| ご存知ですか？ | gozonji desu ka? | Formal (keigo) | Are you aware of / Do you know? (honorific) |
| ご存知でしょうか？ | gozonji deshou ka? | Very formal | Might you perhaps know? (softer honorific) |
YukaI asked my boss “この件、知ってる？” and he looked a little surprised…
ReiWith your boss you should use ご存知ですか? — 知ってる is way too casual for that situation!
YukaI had no idea there were so many levels for the same basic question!
ReiThat is Japanese for you! Let me walk you through each level and how to answer them too.
The Casual Form: 知ってる / 知ってる？
The verb 知る (shiru) means “to know.” In casual spoken Japanese, the te-iru form contracts to 知ってる (shitteru). This is perfectly natural among friends, family, and people of equal or lower status than you.
あの映画知ってる？
Ano eiga shitteru?
Do you know that movie?
うん、知ってるよ。
Un, shitteru yo.
Yeah, I know it.
いや、知らない。
Iya, shiranai.
No, I don’t know it.
You can also say 知ってますか？ (shitte masu ka?) for a polite but not keigo level — appropriate for colleagues, acquaintances, and polite strangers.
The Honorific Form: ご存知ですか？
ご存知 (gozonji) is the honorific (sonkeigo) form of 知っている — literally “your honorable knowing.” By using this form, you elevate the other person’s knowledge, showing respect for them. It is the correct choice when asking a superior, a customer, a client, an elderly person, or any person you should treat with formal respect.
この件についてご存知ですか？
Kono ken ni tsuite gozonji desu ka?
Are you aware of this matter?
田中部長はご存知でしょうか？
Tanaka-buchou wa gozonji deshou ka?
Might Section Chief Tanaka be aware of this?
新しいシステムについてご存知でしたか？
Atarashii shisutemu ni tsuite gozonji deshita ka?
Were you already aware of the new system?
How to Answer ご存知ですか？
When someone asks you ご存知ですか？, you should answer in kind — matching their formality level. Do not answer with 知ってる or 知らない, as this sounds jarring in a formal context.
| If you know | If you don’t know |
|---|---|
| はい、存じております。(Hai, zonjite orimasu.) — formal humble | いいえ、存じません。(Iie, zonjimasen.) — formal humble |
| はい、知っています。(Hai, shitte imasu.) — polite neutral | いいえ、知りません。(Iie, shirimasen.) — polite neutral |
Note that 存じております and 存じません use the humble form 存ずる (sonzuru) — the kenjougo (humble language) counterpart to ご存知. In keigo, you elevate the other person with ご存知, and you humble yourself with 存じる.
When to Use Each Form
| Situation | Use |
|---|---|
| Close friends, family | 知ってる？/ 知らない |
| Colleagues, polite strangers | 知ってますか？/ 知りません |
| Boss, seniors, customers, clients | ご存知ですか？/ 存じません |
| Very formal written communication | ご存知でしょうか？/ 存じておりません |
Quick Quiz
Test yourself! Choose the right form:
1. Asking your close friend if they know a new restaurant. (______)
2. Asking your department head about a policy change. (______)
3. Answering “no, I don’t know” to a formal customer inquiry. (______)
4. Asking a colleague (equal level) about meeting details. (______)
5. Answering “yes, I know” in a very formal business context. (______)
Answers: 1. 知ってる？ 2. ご存知ですか？ 3. 存じません 4. 知ってますか？ 5. 存じております
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