How to Say “I Don’t Know” in Korean: 몰라요 (mol-la-yo), 모르겠어요(mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo)

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How to Say “I Don’t Know” in Korean 🤷
몰라요, 모르겠어요, 모르겠습니다

There are a few different ways to say “I don’t know” in Korean. Each version has a slightly different meaning or feeling, depending on the situation.

📌 몰라요 vs 모르겠어요

Expression Pronunciation Meaning When to Use
몰라요 mol-la-yo I don’t know You simply don’t have the information
몰라 mol-la I don’t know (casual) To friends or same age
모르겠어요 mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo I don’t know / I can’t figure it out You tried to know, but still don’t understand
모르겠어 mo-reu-ge-sseo I can’t tell / I’m not sure Casual version of above
모르겠습니다 mo-reu-ge-sseum-ni-da I don’t know (formal) Business, presentations, very formal speech

🧠 What's the difference?

  • 몰라요 (mol-la-yo):
    → You don’t know because you never learned or heard about it.
    Ex: “이거 뭐예요?”[i-geo-mwo-ye-yo] (What is this)→ “몰라요.”[mol-la-yo] (I don't know)

  • 모르겠어요 (mo-reu-get-sseo-yo):
    → You tried to understand or remember, but still don’t know.
    Ex: “길을 모르겠어요.”[gi-reul-mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo] (I can’t find my way)

💬 Example Sentences

  • 저 몰라요.
    jeo mol-la-yo
    → I don’t know.
  • 몰라.
    mol-la
    → I dunno. (Casual)
  • 저 진짜 모르겠어요.
    jeo jin-jja mo-reu-get-sseo-yo
    → I really can’t figure it out.
  • 죄송합니다, 모르겠습니다.
    joe-song-ham-ni-da, mo-reu-get-seum-ni-da
    → I’m sorry, I don’t know. (Very formal)





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