دانستن

دانستن
dânestan
to know (facts)
verbA2
Quick Reference
dâ-nes-TAN
to know (facts)
A2 — Elementary

What it means

دانستن (dânestan) means “to know” in the sense of knowing facts, information, or how to do something. Different from شناختن (shenâkhtan), which is knowing a person or place by acquaintance.

How to use it

  • می‌دانم (midânam) “I know”
  • نمی‌دانم (nemidânam) “I don’t know”
  • می‌دانی کجاست؟ (midâni kojâst?) “Do you know where it is?”
  • فارسی می‌دانم (fârsi midânam) “I know Persian”

Conjugation

  • Infinitive: دانستن (dânestan)
  • Present stem: دان (dân-)
  • Past stem: دانست (dânest-)
  • Present 1sg: می‌دانم (midânam)
  • Past 1sg: دانستم (dânestam)
  • Subjunctive 1sg: بدانم (bedânam)
  • Imperative 2sg: بدان (bedân)
  • Imperative 2pl: بدانید (bedânid)

Cultural note

In Tehrani speech, midânam shrinks to midunam and nemidânam to nemidunam. The phrase “che midânam?” (literally “what do I know?”) is a common shrug, used the way English speakers say “how should I know?” with a hand wave.

References

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In Tehrani speech, midânam shrinks to midunam and nemidânam to nemidunam. The phrase "che midânam?" (literally "what do I know?") is a common shrug, used the way English speakers say "how should I know?" with a hand wave.
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