Korean · Real conversations
Say you do not know naturally in Korean
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.
Three ways to say it
몰라요.mollayo.
I don't know.
A simple honest answer when you do not know a fact.
확실하지 않지만 알아볼 수 있어요.hwaksilhaji anchiman arabol su isseoyo.
I'm not sure, but I can find out.
Acknowledge uncertainty and offer a realistic next step.
의견을 말할 만큼 잘 알지는 못해요.uigyeoneul malhal mankeum jal aljineun motaeyo.
I don't know enough about that to give an opinion.
Explain why you are not ready to give an informed opinion.
Avoid translating word by word
English 'find out' means obtain information, not locate something outdoors. The target-language phrase may use a verb for checking, asking, or learning; keep that information-seeking meaning.
See the difference in context
A question about a book's author
이 책은 누가 썼어요?i chaegeun nuga sseosseoyo?
Who wrote this book?
몰라요.mollayo.
I don't know.
Finding out an office's opening time
사무실이 언제 여는지 아세요?samusiri eonje yeoneunji aseyo?
Do you know when the office opens?
확실하지 않지만 알아볼 수 있어요.hwaksilhaji anchiman arabol su isseoyo.
I'm not sure, but I can find out.
Your turn
Someone asks for an opinion on an unfamiliar subject. Say you do not know enough about it to give an opinion.
Reveal a sample reply
의견을 말할 만큼 잘 알지는 못해요.uigyeoneul malhal mankeum jal aljineun motaeyo.
I don't know enough about that to give an opinion.
This speaking goal in other languages
A note on speaking Korean
Most examples use polite 해요-style endings. A more formal ending may appear when addressing staff or making a careful request. Do not switch to casual speech with a stranger simply because the English translation sounds friendly.
Hangul is the main text; romanization helps you read along. Korean often leaves a clear subject unstated. Particles and endings carry information that English may express with separate words.
