“To know”: zhīdao 知道 vs. rènshi 认识 vs. huì 会 - Cchatty

“To know”: zhīdao 知道 vs. rènshi 认识 vs. huì 会

To say “to know a fact” or “to know of someone,” use zhīdao 知道:

I know (that) she’s Chinese.
Wǒ zhīdao tā shì Zhōngguó rén.
我知道她是中国人。

I know of (have heard of) her.
Wǒ zhīdao tā.
我知道她。

When you mean “to know a person, place, or Chinese character” or “to meet someone,” use rènshi 认识：

I know that professor.
Wǒ rènshi nèige jiàoshòu.
我认识那个教授。

I know that character.
Wǒ rènshi nàge zì.
✔ CC: 我认识那个字。
✖ BC: 我知道那个字。

SO:
I know of that professor, but I don’t know him personally.
Wǒ zhīdao nèige jiàoshou, dànshi wǒ búrènshi tā.
我知道那个教授，但是我不认识他。

I know that painting.
✔ CC: Wǒ zhīdao nàzhāng huà.
我知道那张画。
✖ BC: Wǒ rènshi nàzhāng huà.
我认识那张画。

To say “know how to do something,” use huì 会:

My wife really knows how to cook.
Wǒ tàitai zhēn huì zuòfàn.
我太太真会做饭。

I know how to write some Chinese characters.
Wǒ huì xiě yīxie Hànzì.
我会写一些汉字。