Many people make mistakes when saying ‘I don’t know’ in Japanese! Let’s
learn the correct way before embarrassing yourself in front of native
speakers!
You may have wondered how to say ‘I don’t know in Japanese correctly’ when
learning Japanese. In English, we can say “I don’t know” casually, but in
Japanese, there are different ways depending on the situation. Don’t make
mistakes and sound impolite!
1. ‘Shiranai’ (知らない) – Casual for Close Friends
If you are talking to a peer or someone you are close with, you can use
Shiranai. This is a casual form, meaning “I don’t know.”
Example:
A: これの意味知ってる？(Kore no imi shitteru?) – Do you know the meaning of
this?
B: 知らない。(Shiranai.) – I don’t know.
However, please avoid using this in formal situations or with elders, as it
can sound rude.
2. ‘Wakarimasen’ (分かりません) – More Polite and Neutral
If you want to be more polite, use Wakarimasen. This phrase means “I don’t
know” or “I don’t understand.” It is commonly used in workplaces or when
speaking to someone you respect.
Example:
A: この単語の意味が分かりますか？(Kono tango no imi ga wakarimasu ka?) – Do
you know the meaning of this word?
B: すみません、分かりません。(Sumimasen, wakarimasen.) – Sorry, I don’t know.
3. ‘Wakaranai’ (分からない) – Casual Yet Polite
Wakaranai is the casual version of “Wakarimasen.” You can use it when talking
to friends, but it still sounds softer than “Shiranai.”
Example:
A: なんでそんなに高いの？(Nande sonna ni takai no?) – Why is that so
expensive?
B: 分からないよ。(Wakaranai yo.) – I don’t know either.
4. ‘Soredemo Wakarimasen’ – When You Still Don’t Understand
Sometimes, even after an explanation, you still don’t understand. In this
case, you can say Soredemo wakarimasen, which means “I still don’t
understand.”
Example:
A: もう一度説明しましょうか？(Mou ichido setsumei shimashou ka?) – Should I
explain again?
B: はい、でもそれでも分かりません。(Hai, demo soredemo wakarimasen.) – Yes,
but I still don’t understand.
How you say ‘I don’t know in Japanese’ depends on the context. Choose the
correct phrase to keep your communication polite and natural!
