English · Natural expressions
How to say you do not know in English
It is useful to say when information is missing. Give a short honest answer, offer to find out if you can, or explain that you lack enough knowledge to form an opinion.
Nahi pata kehna theek hai. Check karne ki baat tabhi kahein jab aap waqai check karenge.
Choose the expression that fits
Expression 1
I don't know.
मुझे नहीं पता।
mujhe nahi pata.
A simple honest answer when you do not know a fact.
Expression 2
I'm not sure, but I can find out.
मुझे यकीन नहीं है, लेकिन मैं पता कर सकता / सकती हूँ।
mujhe yakeen nahi hai, lekin main pata kar sakta / sakti hoon.
Acknowledge uncertainty and offer a realistic next step.
Expression 3
I don't know enough about that to give an opinion.
इस बारे में राय देने लायक जानकारी मेरे पास नहीं है।
is baare mein raay dene laayak jaankaari mere paas nahi hai.
Explain why you are not ready to give an informed opinion.
What to watch for
“I don't know” is a complete answer. “Let me find out” adds a commitment to check, so use it only if you intend to do that. You can be direct and polite at the same time.
See it in a short conversation
A question about a book's author
Partner
Who wrote this book?
Show Hindi meaning
यह किताब किसने लिखी?
yah kitaab kisne likhi?
You
I don't know.
Show Hindi meaning
मुझे नहीं पता।
mujhe nahi pata.
Finding out an office's opening time
Partner
Do you know when the office opens?
Show Hindi meaning
क्या आपको पता है कि दफ़्तर कब खुलता है?
kya aapko pata hai ki daftar kab khulta hai?
You
I'm not sure, but I can find out.
Show Hindi meaning
मुझे यकीन नहीं है, लेकिन मैं पता कर सकता / सकती हूँ।
mujhe yakeen nahi hai, lekin main pata kar sakta / sakti hoon.
Your turn
Someone asks for an opinion on an unfamiliar subject. Say you do not know enough about it to give an opinion.
Reveal sample reply
I don't know enough about that to give an opinion.
इस बारे में राय देने लायक जानकारी मेरे पास नहीं है।
is baare mein raay dene laayak jaankaari mere paas nahi hai.
