A2 Expression رسمي

아직 잘 모르겠어요.

ajik jal moreugesseoyo.

I still don't know well.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use this phrase to politely express that you need more time or information before making a decision.

  • Means: I do not know well yet.
  • Used in: Answering questions about plans, opinions, or future actions.
  • Don't confuse: '몰라요' (I don't know - can sound rude) with '잘 모르겠어요' (I'm not sure - polite).
Thinking face + polite bow = respectful uncertainty

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means 'I don't know yet.' You use it when someone asks you a question and you need more time to think about the answer. It is very polite and useful for beginners.
This is a common expression for expressing uncertainty. It combines '아직' (still) with '모르다' (to not know). It is more polite than just saying '몰라요' because it implies you are still considering the situation.
This expression serves as a social softener. By using the '겠' suffix, the speaker adds a layer of subjective conjecture, which reduces the bluntness of a negative response. It is essential for navigating social interactions where a direct 'no' might be perceived as rude or dismissive.
Functioning as a pragmatic marker, this phrase allows speakers to manage the flow of information in a conversation. It acts as a hedge, providing the speaker with a graceful exit from providing an immediate, potentially incorrect, or socially sensitive answer. It is a cornerstone of polite Korean discourse.
From a sociolinguistic perspective, this phrase exemplifies the Korean preference for indirect communication. It mitigates the face-threatening act of admitting ignorance or refusing a request. The inclusion of '잘' functions as a lexical intensifier of the mitigation, framing the speaker's state as one of 'not yet having sufficient information' rather than a permanent lack of knowledge.
This expression is a prime example of how Korean grammar encodes epistemic modality to facilitate social harmony. The use of the '겠' suffix indicates a lack of definitive knowledge based on current evidence, while the adverb '잘' serves to soften the illocutionary force of the denial. This phrase is strategically deployed to maintain the 'nunchi' balance, allowing the speaker to preserve their social standing while avoiding the commitment of a definitive assertion.

المعنى

Expressing continued uncertainty or lack of clear understanding about something.

🌍

خلفية ثقافية

The phrase is essential for 'nunchi'.

💡

Politeness

Always add '아직' to soften the blow.

المعنى

Expressing continued uncertainty or lack of clear understanding about something.

💡

Politeness

Always add '아직' to soften the blow.

اختبر نفسك

Complete the sentence: '내일 갈 수 있어요?' -> '____ 잘 모르겠어요.'

아직

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: 아직

'아직' means 'still' or 'yet', which fits the context of uncertainty.

🎉 النتيجة: /1

الأسئلة الشائعة

1 أسئلة

No, it is very polite.

عبارات ذات صلة

🔗

생각해 볼게요

similar

I will think about it

أين تستخدمها

☕

Meeting a friend

Friend: 우리 내일 영화 볼까?

You: 아직 잘 모르겠어, 스케줄 확인해 볼게.

informal
💼

Work inquiry

Boss: 이번 보고서 언제 끝날까요?

You: 아직 잘 모르겠습니다, 오늘 오후에 다시 말씀드릴게요.

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Jal' (jar) that is empty. You don't know what's in it yet!

Visual Association

Imagine yourself standing at a crossroads with a map, looking confused but smiling politely at a passerby.

Rhyme

Not sure yet, don't you know? 아직 잘 모르겠어요.

Story

Min-su is asked if he likes the new cafe. He hasn't tried the coffee yet. He smiles and says, '아직 잘 모르겠어요.' The person asking nods, understanding that he needs more time.

Word Web

아직잘모르다생각하다확인하다나중에

تحدٍّ

For one day, whenever someone asks you a question you don't have an immediate answer to, use this phrase instead of 'I don't know'.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Todavía no estoy seguro.

Korean adds the '잘' (well) to soften the impact.

French high

Je ne sais pas encore.

French does not have a direct equivalent to the 'well' softener.

German moderate

Ich weiß es noch nicht.

Korean is more focused on the process of knowing.

Japanese very_high

まだよくわかりません。

Minimal difference in usage.

Arabic moderate

لست متأكداً بعد.

Korean is more verb-focused (to know) vs Arabic adjective-focused (sure).

Chinese high

我还不清楚。

Chinese uses 'clear' (清楚) while Korean uses 'know' (모르다).

Korean n/a

아직 잘 모르겠어요.

N/A

Portuguese moderate

Ainda não tenho certeza.

Korean uses a verb-based approach ('to know').

Easily Confused

아직 잘 모르겠어요. مقابل 몰라요

Too direct/rude.

Use '아직 잘 모르겠어요' instead.

الأسئلة الشائعة (1)

No, it is very polite.

هل كان هذا مفيداً؟

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