明知 (míngzhī): to be fully aware of

Meanings

Tā míngzhī gùfàn, bìxū shòudào chéngfá.

He knowingly broke the rules and must be punished.

Tā míngzhī zhèyàng zuò bú duì, háishì qù zuò le.

She knew perfectly well it was wrong, but did it anyway.

grammar

明知 is often followed by a clause stating what is known, then a contrasting action: 明知...还/却... (knowing full well...yet still...).

usage

The set phrase 明知故犯 means 'to knowingly violate' -- doing something wrong despite knowing better.

明 míng

知 zhī