जानना
jānnā
/ˈdʒan.nɑː/
Definition
To know something, or to be aware of a fact or piece of information.
Example
मुझे उसका नाम नहीं जानना था।
Show translation
I didn't need to know his name.
Etymology
From Sanskrit **जानाति** (*jānāti*, "he knows"), from the root **ज्ञा** (*jñā*, "to know"), cognate with Greek *gignōskō* and English *know* — all tracing back to Proto-Indo-European ***ǵneh₃-*** ("to know, recognise").
Cultural note
Hindi distinguishes two "knowing" verbs: **जानना** (jānnā) for knowing facts or information, and **पहचानना** (pahcānnā) for recognising or identifying a person or thing. English speakers often confuse these, since English uses "know" for both. Saying *मैं उसे जानता हूँ* can mean "I know of him," while *मैं उसे पहचानता हूँ* means "I recognise him."