How to Say “Do we know each other?” in Chinese
Small talk and travel · HSK 3
"Do we know each other?" in Chinese is 我们认识吗？ (Wǒmen rènshi ma?). 认识 (rènshi) is the verb for 'to know' a person; distinct from 知道 (zhīdào), which is to know a fact. Chinese learners mix these up constantly; if you ask someone 你知道我吗, it sounds like 'are you aware of my existence,' which is weird.
Primary translation
我们认识吗？
Wǒmen rènshi ma?
Traditional: 我們認識嗎？
Variants by register
Formal
请问我们认识吗？
Qǐngwèn wǒmen rènshi ma?
Casual
咱俩认识吗？
Zán liǎ rènshi ma?
When to use it
认识 (rènshi) is the verb for 'to know' a person; distinct from 知道 (zhīdào), which is to know a fact. Chinese learners mix these up constantly; if you ask someone 你知道我吗, it sounds like 'are you aware of my existence,' which is weird. 咱俩 (zán liǎ) means 'the two of us' and is very Beijing/northern; it has a casual, almost playful feel. In Taiwan, people are more likely to just say 我們認識嗎 without the 咱 variants, which sound regional on the mainland.
Example sentences
等等，我们认识吗？你怎么知道我名字？
Děng děng, wǒmen rènshi ma? Nǐ zěnme zhīdào wǒ míngzi?
Wait, do we know each other? How do you know my name?
请问我们认识吗？您看着有点眼熟。
Qǐngwèn wǒmen rènshi ma? Nín kànzhe yǒudiǎn yǎnshú.
Excuse me, do we know each other? You look a bit familiar.
咱俩认识吗？我怎么想不起来了。
Zán liǎ rènshi ma? Wǒ zěnme xiǎng bu qǐlái le.
Do we know each other? I can't quite remember.