Know your abcs Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈnoʊ/ /ˈjɔɹ/, /ˈjʊɹ/ /ˈeɪˌbiˌsiz

NOH yur ay-bee-SEEZ

UK

nˈəʊ/ /jˈɔː/ /ˌeɪ.biːˈsiːz

NOH yaw ay-bee-SEEZ

Definition

To know the letters of the alphabet; also used to mean having basic or fundamental knowledge about something.

Usage & Nuances

Mostly informal. Commonly used for children literally learning the alphabet or anyone learning the basics of a new skill. Can be used figuratively: 'He knows his ABCs of cooking.' Not used for advanced knowledge.

• Spanish: saber el abecedario - conocer lo básico
• Portuguese (BR): saber o seu ABC - conhecer o básico
• Portuguese (PT): saber o teu ABC - conhecer o básico
• Chinese (Simplified): 会字母表 - 懂基础知识
• Chinese (Traditional): 會字母表 - 懂基礎知識
• Hindi: अपने एबीसी जानना - बुनियादी बातें जानना
• Arabic: معرفة الأبجدية - معرفة الأساسيات
• Bengali: তোমার এবিসি জানা - মৌলিক বিষয় জানার
• Russian: знать азбуку - знать основы
• Japanese: ABCを知っている - 基本を知っている
• Vietnamese: biết bảng chữ cái - biết điều cơ bản
• Korean: ABC를 알다 - 기초를 알다
• Turkish: ABC'ni bilmek - temel şeyleri bilmek
• Urdu: اپنے ABCs جاننا - بنیادی باتیں جاننا
• Indonesian: mengetahui abjad - tahu dasar-dasarnya

Example Sentences

My little brother can finally know his ABCs.

basic

You have to know your ABCs before you learn to read.

basic

He doesn't even know his ABCs of computers yet.

basic

If you want to get good at guitar, you've got to know your ABCs first.

natural

Don’t worry, she already knows her ABCs when it comes to baking.

natural

Before moving on to advanced math, make sure you know your ABCs.

natural