Know whereof one speaks Meaning in English

expression

US

NOH wair-OV wun SPEEKS

UK

noh WAIR-of won SPEEKS

Definition

To have real knowledge or experience about the subject being discussed, so you can speak with authority.

Usage & Nuances

Formal, somewhat old-fashioned. Used to suggest someone is truly qualified to talk about a topic, often in contrast to those who are not. Usually found in professional, academic, or careful speech and writing.

• Spanish: saber de lo que uno habla - hablar con conocimiento de causa
• Portuguese (BR): saber do que se fala - falar com conhecimento de causa
• Portuguese (PT): saber do que se fala - falar com conhecimento de causa
• Chinese (Simplified): 真正了解自己所说的内容
• Chinese (Traditional): 真正瞭解自己所說的內容
• Hindi: जिस विषय पर बात की जा रही है, उसके बारे में पूरी जानकारी होना
• Arabic: أن يعرف المرء عما يتحدث - يتكلم من واقع خبرة
• Bengali: বিষয়ে ভালোভাবে জানেন - অভিজ্ঞতা থেকে বলছেন
• Russian: знает, о чём говорит - говорит со знанием дела
• Japanese: 自分が話していることをよく知っている - 経験がある
• Vietnamese: biết rõ điều mình nói - nói từ kinh nghiệm
• Korean: 자신이 말하는 바를 잘 알고 있다 - 경험에서 말하다
• Turkish: ne konuştuğunu bilir - konu hakkında deneyimli
• Urdu: جسے پتہ ہو وہ کیا بول رہا ہے - ذاتی تجربے سے بات کرنا
• Indonesian: biết rõ điều mình nói - nói từ trải nghiệm

Example Sentences

She really knows whereof she speaks when it comes to chemistry.

basic

Only someone with experience knows whereof he speaks about this job.

basic

After living abroad, he knows whereof he speaks about culture shock.

basic

Trust me—she knows whereof she speaks when it comes to startups.

natural

It’s clear the author knows whereof he speaks from his detailed analysis.

natural

You can tell he knows whereof he speaks just by the way he explains things.

natural