Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use '모르겠습니다' to politely admit you lack information or understanding in formal settings.
- Means: A formal way to say 'I do not know' or 'I am unsure'.
- Used in: Professional meetings, talking to strangers, or with elders.
- Don't confuse: Do not use with close friends; it sounds cold and distant.
Erklärung auf deinem Niveau:
Bedeutung
Stating that one lacks knowledge or understanding.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Politeness is a social requirement. Admitting ignorance with '모르겠습니다' is seen as humble. In meetings, '잘 모르겠습니다' is preferred over a flat '모르겠습니다' to sound less dismissive. Students use this with teachers to show respect for the teacher's authority.
Add '잘'
Adding '잘' (well) makes you sound much more polite and less blunt.
Use with a bow
A slight nod or bow while saying this phrase reinforces your respect.
Add '잘'
Adding '잘' (well) makes you sound much more polite and less blunt.
Use with a bow
A slight nod or bow while saying this phrase reinforces your respect.
Teste dich selbst
Which is appropriate for a boss?
Boss: 'Do you know the schedule?'
It is the most formal option.
Fill in the blank.
죄송합니다, 잘 ________.
Must match the formal '죄송합니다'.
Complete the dialogue.
Stranger: 'Where is the station?' You: '____.'
Polite to strangers.
Match the register.
Match the formality.
Correct register matching.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
5 AufgabenBoss: 'Do you know the schedule?'
It is the most formal option.
죄송합니다, 잘 ________.
Must match the formal '죄송합니다'.
Stranger: 'Where is the station?' You: '____.'
Polite to strangers.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
Correct register matching.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenYes, it is the perfect phrase for a boss.
No, it is very polite.
You can say '모르겠습니다' to the teacher.
It is part of the formal ending conjugation.
It is a bit too formal for texting.
No, 'understand' is '이해하다'.
A neutral, polite expression is best.
It is '몰라'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
잘 모르겠습니다
specialized formI don't know very well.
몰라요
similarI don't know.
죄송합니다
builds onI'm sorry.
Wo du es verwendest
Asking for directions
Stranger: 실례합니다, 시청이 어디인가요?
You: 죄송합니다, 저도 잘 모르겠습니다.
Work meeting
Boss: 이번 프로젝트 예산이 얼마인가요?
You: 그 부분은 아직 잘 모르겠습니다.
Classroom
Teacher: 이 문법 이해했나요?
You: 아직 잘 모르겠습니다.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Think of 'More' (모르) and 'Guess' (겠습니다). You need more info, so you have to guess.
Visuelle Assoziation
A student in a suit bowing slightly while saying 'I don't know' to a professor.
Story
You are at a big meeting. The boss asks a hard question. You don't know. You stand up, bow, and say '모르겠습니다'. Everyone nods because you were polite.
In Other Languages
Similar to 'Je ne sais pas' in French or 'Ich weiß es nicht' in German, but with a specific honorific layer.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Say this phrase 5 times in front of a mirror with a polite bow.
Review in 1, 3, 7, and 14 days.
Aussprache
The 's' sounds are sharp.
Formalitätsspektrum
모르겠습니다. (General)
몰라요. (General)
몰라. (General)
몰라잉. (General)
Rooted in the verb '모르다' (to not know). The '-겠습니다' suffix was added to express a polite, formal stance.
Wusstest du?
It is one of the first phrases taught to foreigners because it is so useful for avoiding awkward situations.
Kulturelle Hinweise
Politeness is a social requirement. Admitting ignorance with '모르겠습니다' is seen as humble.
“모르겠습니다, 확인해 보겠습니다.”
In meetings, '잘 모르겠습니다' is preferred over a flat '모르겠습니다' to sound less dismissive.
“그 부분은 잘 모르겠습니다.”
Students use this with teachers to show respect for the teacher's authority.
“선생님, 잘 모르겠습니다.”
Gesprächseinstiege
이 단어 뜻 아세요?
오늘 회의 시간 아세요?
이 길로 가면 되나요?
Häufige Fehler
친구에게 '모르겠습니다'라고 말하기
친구에게 '몰라'라고 말하기
L1 Interference
모르겠어요
모르겠습니다
L1 Interference
모르다입니다
모르겠습니다
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
No lo sé.
Korean requires register adjustment.
Je ne sais pas.
Korean grammar changes entirely.
Ich weiß es nicht.
Korean uses morphology for politeness.
わかりません (Wakarimasen).
Korean is slightly more focused on the 'intent' of the speaker.
لا أعرف (La a'rif).
Korean uses verb suffixes.
Spotted in the Real World
“잘 모르겠습니다.”
A student talking to a teacher.
“정확한 원인은 모르겠습니다.”
Reporting on an incident.
“잘 모르겠습니다.”
Interviewing for a job.
Leicht verwechselbar
Both are polite, but the level of formality differs.
Use '모르겠습니다' for professional settings.
Opposites.
모르다 is negative.
One is 'don't know', one is 'didn't understand'.
Use '이해 못 했습니다' for comprehension.
Häufig gestellte Fragen (8)
Yes, it is the perfect phrase for a boss.
usage contextsNo, it is very polite.
basic understandingYou can say '모르겠습니다' to the teacher.
usage contextsIt is part of the formal ending conjugation.
grammar mechanicsIt is a bit too formal for texting.
practical tipsNo, 'understand' is '이해하다'.
comparisonsA neutral, polite expression is best.
cultural usageIt is '몰라'.
basic understanding
