Italian · Greetings & Essentials
"I don't know" in Italian: non lo so
non lo so
I don't know in Italian is non lo so (nohn lo SOH). Soften with scusa or boh for a shrug. Formal speech can keep the same phrase.
Street directions
Scusa, non lo so: sono turista.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce non lo so
Say it
nohn lo SOH
/non lo ˈso/
Non is nohn. Lo is loh. So stresses SOH.
"I don't know" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| non lo so | I don't know Default answer. | Default answer. |
| boh, non lo so | dunno, I don't know Casual shrug. | Casual shrug. |
| non lo so ancora | I don't know yet Pending decision. | Pending decision. |
| scusa, non lo so | sorry, I don't know Polite with tu. | Polite with tu. |
How to use non lo so in real life
- 1Street directions
Scusa, non lo so: sono turista.
Sorry, I don't know: I'm a tourist.
Full non lo so.
- 2Plans
Che film vedi? Non lo so ancora.
Which film are you watching? I don't know yet.
Non lo so ancora.
- 3Quiz night
Boh, non lo so proprio questa.
Dunno, I really don't know this one.
Emphatic non lo so.
Mistakes English speakers make with non lo so
Incorrect: Non so lo.
Correct: Non lo so.
Object lo comes before so.
Incorrect: Non sapere.
Correct: Non lo so.
Conjugate: io so.
Good to know
Non lo so is honest and normal; Italians add boh with a hand shrug. Non so without lo can work when the object is clear, but non lo so is the safe full phrase.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing a restaurant
ChatPal
Sai se quel posto è aperto?
Do you know if that place is open?
You
Non lo so. Controllo online.
I don't know. I'll check online.
ChatPal
E il menu vegetariano?
And the vegetarian menu?
You
Anche quello non lo so, scusa.
I don't know that either, sorry.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"I don't know" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "I don't know" in Italian
Non so or non lo so?
Both appear; non lo so is clearer with an unknown object.
What is boh?
A casual dunno sound, often with non lo so.
Formal version?
Same non lo so; add scusi with strangers.
I didn't know?
Non lo sapevo.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- How to Learn Italian Fast and Speak with ConfidenceLearn how to learn Italian with a clear roadmap, speaking-first tactics and daily habits that turn basics into real conversation confidence.
- Translate Hello in Italian with ConfidenceLearn how to translate hello in Italian with context, pronunciation, and practice prompts. Master ciao, buongiorno, buonasera, and salve for real conversations.
