In Chinese culture, 知识 (zhīshi) is held in extremely high regard, a value deeply rooted in Confucian philosophy. For centuries, education and the accumulation of knowledge were seen as the primary path to self-improvement, social mobility, and earning respect for oneself and one's family. The ancient and rigorous imperial examination system (科举, kējǔ) made scholarly knowledge the gateway to prestigious government positions, cementing the idea that 知识 is power. A helpful comparison is to the Western concept of “knowledge.” While functionally similar, the Chinese context traditionally placed a stronger emphasis on received wisdom—knowledge passed down from teachers, elders, and classic texts. While modern Western pedagogy often champions critical inquiry from the start, the Chinese approach often builds a strong foundation of established 知识 first, before encouraging students to challenge it. The famous phrase 知识就是力量 (Zhīshi jiùshì lìliàng), a direct translation of Francis Bacon's “Knowledge is power,” has been wholeheartedly adopted in China and is a common motto in schools and universities, reflecting the modern continuation of this age-old value.
知识 (zhīshi) is a versatile word used constantly in various modern contexts.