知しらず

noun, used as a suffix

without knowing; unaware of; not having

Noun suffix that attaches to a noun or verb stem to mean 'without knowing X' or 'unaffected by X'. Often used in set phrases like 見知らず (without knowing someone) or 我知らず (unconsciously).

• 彼かれは見み知しらずの人ひとに道みちを尋たずねられた。

  He was asked for directions by a stranger (someone he didn't know).

• 我われ知しらず涙なみだがこぼれた。

  Tears spilled over without my realizing it.

conjunction

aside from; not to mention; let alone

Conjunction used in the pattern ～は知らず to mean 'leaving aside X' or 'I don't know about X, but...'. It sets aside a topic to focus on another.

• 結けっ果かは知しらず、努ど力りょくしたことに意い味みがある。

  I don't know about the result, but the effort itself has meaning.

conjunction

I know not whether; I know not if

Archaic conjunction used at the beginning of a sentence to express uncertainty. Not used in modern Japanese outside of classical or poetic contexts.

• 知しらず、この道みちは正ただしきか。

  I know not whether this path is right.