the particle «же»

[dzhozef-derfler.livejournal.com]

Okay, what exactly is «же»?  I know it's used for emphasis, but I don't know how...I know an example--what is(are) the difference(s) between «Ты знаешь.» and «Ты же знаешь.»?

Comments

[mr-yogurt.livejournal.com]

In other words, it used to accent the meaning of the next word or phrase. There is also a particle "ведь", that has similar meaning ("Ты же знаешь." = "Ты ведь знаешь.", "Я же не знал!" = "Я ведь не знал!"), the only exeption is that "ведь" makes more accent on the previous word then on the next. So can't be used instead of "же" after the word "или". For example: "Красный или же зелёный?"

ведь

[yms.livejournal.com]

"Ведь" means something like "as you know...". Its origin is from the verb "ведать" and it still keeps connection with it. Some phrases without "ведь" would sound stupid, e.g. "Ведь Волга впадает в Каспийское море..." when you explain something about Volgo-Don :)