“I don't know” in Japanese is 分かりません (わかりません), pronounced wakarimasen.
Pronunciation
The phrase has 6 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or use the play button above for the whole phrase:
How to use it
分かりません means “I don’t know / I don’t understand”. For facts you don’t know, 知りません also works but can sound blunt; ちょっと分からないです is softer.
Example sentences
- すみません、分かりません。すみません、わかりません。Sorry, I don’t know.
- 駅はどこか分かりません。えきはどこかわかりません。I don’t know where the station is.
Related forms
| Meaning | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| softer | ちょっと分からないです | ちょっとわからないです chotto wakaranai desu |
Quick practice
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Related phrases
分かりましたI understand今何時ですかWhat time is itこれは何ですかWhat is this大丈夫ですIt's okay問題ありませんNo problemもちろんOf course本当ですかReallyなるほどI see
FAQ
How do you say I don't know in Japanese?
I don't know in Japanese is 分かりません (わかりません), pronounced “wakarimasen”.
How do you write I don't know in Japanese?
It's written 分かりません with kanji, or わかりません in hiragana. Both are read wakarimasen.