Spanish · Greetings & Essentials
"I don't know" in Spanish: no sé
no sé
I don't know in Spanish is no sé (noh seh). Accent the é: sé. No lo sé adds a clear it. Shrug-friendly and very common.
How to pronounce no sé: audio and sound guideStreet question
¿Dónde queda? — No sé.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce no sé
Say it
noh seh
/no ˈse/
noh seh. Sé rhymes with English say without the y. Mark the accent.
"I don't know" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| no sé | I don't know Default. | Default. |
| no lo sé | I don't know (it) Slightly fuller. | Slightly fuller. |
| no tengo idea | I have no idea Stronger uncertainty. | Stronger uncertainty. |
| quién sabe | who knows Casual shrug. | Casual shrug. |
How to use no sé in real life
- 1Street question
¿Dónde queda? — No sé.
Where is it? — I don't know.
Short no sé ends it kindly.
- 2Quiz practice
No sé la respuesta todavía.
I don't know the answer yet.
No sé plus the missing thing.
- 3Plans
No sé si puedo ir mañana.
I don't know if I can go tomorrow.
No sé si for uncertainty.
Mistakes English speakers make with no sé
Incorrect: No se. (missing accent)
Correct: No sé.
Sé (I know) needs the accent. Se without it is a pronoun.
Incorrect: No saber.
Correct: No sé.
Conjugate: yo form is sé, so no sé.
Good to know
Good to knowNo sé is blunt but normal. Soften with no sé, perdón or no tengo idea. In service settings, staff may add déjame preguntar instead of leaving you with a bare no sé.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Looking for a closed shop
ChatPal
¿A qué hora abre la panadería?
What time does the bakery open?
You
No sé. ¿Preguntamos al kiosco?
I don't know. Shall we ask at the kiosk?
ChatPal
Sí. Si no sé yo, ellos sabrán.
Yes. If I don't know, they will.
You
Vamos.
Let's go.
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 Spanish
Why accent sé?
Sé means I know. Se without accent is a different word.
No sé or no lo sé?
Both fine. No lo sé points at a specific it.
Does it change for gender?
No. No sé is the same for everyone.
How do I soften no sé?
Add perdón or try no tengo idea.
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
Keep reading
- 8 Sentences with Ser in Spanish: Examples and GrammarExplore 8 sentences with ser in spanish covering identity, origin, time, and materials, with translations, grammar tips, and mistakes to avoid.
- 33 in Spanish: How to Say It and Use It NaturallyLearn how to say 33 in Spanish with clear pronunciation, ordinal forms, regional variations, and real example sentences for confident everyday speaking.
