Korean · Greetings & Essentials
"I don't know" in Korean: 몰라요
몰라요mollayo
Note: 몰라요 is conversational; 모르겠어요 is softer when you are unsure.
I don't know in Korean is 몰라요 (mollayo). 몰라요 says I do not know; 잘 모르겠어요 can sound softer when uncertainty or limited knowledge is intended.
I don't know: starting the exchange
그 사람은 몰라요.geu sarameun mollayo.
Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce 몰라요
Say it
mollayo
/molɾajo/
몰라요 is read mollayo. In 잘 모르겠어요, read the full phrase as jal moreugesseoyo.
"I don't know" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 몰라요mollayo | I don't know The inventory form for i don't know. | The inventory form for i don't know. |
| 잘 모르겠어요jal moreugesseoyo | I am not sure 몰라요 says I do not know; 잘 모르겠어요 can sound softer when uncertainty or limited knowledge is intended. | 몰라요 says I do not know; 잘 모르겠어요 can sound softer when uncertainty or limited knowledge is intended. |
How to use 몰라요 in real life
- 1I don't know: starting the exchange
그 사람은 몰라요.
geu sarameun mollayo.
I do not know that person.
몰라요 says I do not know; 잘 모르겠어요 can sound softer when uncertainty or limited knowledge is intended.
- 2I don't know: adding useful context
답을 몰라요.
dabeul mollayo.
I do not know the answer.
This sentence places 몰라요 in a complete exchange.
- 3I don't know: a different conversation
죄송하지만 그 길은 몰라요.
joesonghajiman geu gireun mollayo.
I am sorry, but I do not know that road.
This sentence places 몰라요 in a complete exchange.
Mistakes English speakers make with 몰라요
Incorrect: 그 사람는 몰라요.
Correct: 그 사람은 몰라요.
When practicing i don't know, 사람 ends in a consonant, so this sentence needs 사람은, not 사람는.
Incorrect: 죄송하지만 그 길는 몰라요.
Correct: 죄송하지만 그 길은 몰라요.
When practicing i don't know, 길 ends in a consonant, so this sentence needs 길은, not 길는.
Good to know
몰라요 says I do not know; 잘 모르겠어요 can sound softer when uncertainty or limited knowledge is intended.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led greetings and essentials study exercise: two sentences with 몰라요
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
그 사람은 몰라요.
geu sarameun mollayo.
I do not know that person.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
답을 몰라요.
dabeul mollayo.
I do not know the answer.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"I don't know" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "I don't know" in Korean
What does 몰라요 mean?
I don't know in Korean is 몰라요 (mollayo). 몰라요 says I do not know; 잘 모르겠어요 can sound softer when uncertainty or limited knowledge is intended.
When should I say 잘 모르겠어요?
몰라요 says I do not know; 잘 모르겠어요 can sound softer when uncertainty or limited knowledge is intended.
How does 잘 모르겠어요 differ from the basic expression?
잘 모르겠어요 means “I am not sure”. 몰라요 says I do not know; 잘 모르겠어요 can sound softer when uncertainty or limited knowledge is intended.
Can I use 몰라요 in a full sentence?
그 사람은 몰라요. means “I do not know that person.” 몰라요 says I do not know; 잘 모르겠어요 can sound softer when uncertainty or limited knowledge is intended.
Use these words in a conversation
Find useful phrases for a situation, learn what to say back, and rehearse your part with revealable sample answers.
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
