When you're learning Chinese, you'll often need to say you don't know something. That's where 不知道 (bù zhī dào) comes in.
It literally means 'not know'. You can use it as a complete sentence: 'I don't know.'
You can also use it to say you don't know a specific piece of information, like 'I don't know his name.'
This is a super practical phrase for everyday conversations, and it's good to master early.
When using “不知道,” it's often a direct answer to a question. For example, if someone asks “你知道他叫什么名字吗?” (Do you know what his name is?), a simple “我不知道” (I don't know) is a common and appropriate reply. This clearly states your lack of knowledge about the specific information requested.
You can also use it to express uncertainty about a situation or event. For instance, “我不知道他会不会来” (I don't know if he will come) shows that you are unsure about his attendance. It indicates a lack of definite information rather than a complete absence of understanding.
In some contexts, “不知道” can subtly convey a sense of indifference or lack of concern. If someone asks “你觉得这件衣服好看吗？” (Do you think this dress looks good?) and you reply with “我不知道” (I don't know), it might imply that you don't have a strong opinion or aren't particularly invested in the choice.
It's important to remember that while “不知道” is versatile, its directness can sometimes be softened by adding context or explanation, especially in more formal situations. For example, instead of just “我不知道,” you could say “我不知道，我需要查一下” (I don't know, I need to check) to show a willingness to find the answer.
不知道 in 30 Sekunden
- Common way to say 'I don't know.'
- Used for factual information or situations.
- Versatile in various contexts.
Alright, let's talk about 不知道 (bù zhīdào). This is a really common and useful phrase in Chinese, and you'll hear it all the time. It literally means 'not know' or 'unaware'. Simple enough, right? But like many things in language, there are nuances and other ways to express similar ideas. This section will help you understand exactly when to use 不知道 and how it compares to some other related phrases.
§ The Core Meaning of 不知道
At its most basic, 不知道 is your go-to for saying 'I don't know' or 'I'm not aware of it'. It's direct, polite enough for most situations, and very versatile. You can use it to talk about facts, information, people, places, or even feelings.
我不知道他叫什么名字。
- Translation hint
- I don't know what his name is.
你不知道吗？
- Translation hint
- You don't know? / Are you unaware?
§ 不知道 vs. 不认识
This is where learners often get confused. Both involve 'not knowing', but they apply to different things.
不知道 (bù zhīdào): Used for facts, information, skills, or general knowledge. You don't possess the information.
不认识 (bù rènshi): Used for people, places, or characters. It means you haven't met someone, haven't been to a place, or don't recognize a Chinese character. It implies a lack of prior acquaintance or recognition.
我不知道这个问题的答案。
- Translation hint
- I don't know the answer to this question.
我不认识这个人。
- Translation hint
- I don't know (haven't met/don't recognize) this person.
§ 不知道 vs. 不会 (in the context of knowledge/skill)
Sometimes you might hear or think of 不会 (bù huì) when you want to say 'I don't know how to'. Here's the distinction:
不知道 (bù zhīdào): You lack the factual information or are unaware. It's about what you 'know' in terms of data.
不会 (bù huì): You lack a skill or ability, or you don't know 'how to' do something. It's about practical competence.
我不知道怎么去火车站。
- Translation hint
- I don't know (the way) to the train station.
Here, you're saying you don't know the information about directions. However, if you're talking about a skill like driving, you'd use 不会:
我不会开车。
- Translation hint
- I don't know how to drive.
§ Summary: When to Use 不知道
Use 不知道 when:
You lack specific information or facts (e.g., a phone number, an address, a date, an answer).
You are generally unaware of something.
You want to express uncertainty ('I wonder if...').
Avoid using 不知道 when:
You want to say you don't recognize a person, place, or character. Use 不认识 (bù rènshi) instead.
You want to say you don't possess a skill or ability, or don't know 'how to' do something. Use 不会 (bù huì) instead.
Mastering 不知道 is fundamental. Pay attention to these distinctions, and you'll sound much more natural when speaking Chinese. Keep practicing!
Wichtige Grammatik
It directly means 'don't know' or 'unaware' and can be used as a standalone answer.
你知不知道？(Do you know?) 我不知道。(I don't know.)
It can be followed by a question word (谁, 什么, 哪里, 怎么, 多少, 几) to express 'don't know who/what/where/how/how much/how many'.
我不知道他叫什么名字。(I don't know what his name is.)
It can be followed by a clause to express 'don't know if/whether something is true or if something will happen'.
我不知道他会不会来。(I don't know if he will come.)
It can be used to politely express uncertainty or lack of information, similar to 'I'm not sure'.
我不知道这附近有没有地铁站。(I'm not sure if there's a subway station nearby.)
It can be used to indicate a lack of understanding or comprehension.
我不知道你在说什么。(I don't understand what you are saying.)
Beispiele nach Niveau
我不知道他为什么要辞职。
I don't know why he wants to resign.
你知不知道那个新开的咖啡馆在哪里？
Do you know where that newly opened cafe is?
我不知道该怎么回答这个问题。
I don't know how to answer this question.
他不知道这个消息，所以请你告诉他。
He doesn't know this news, so please tell him.
我们都不知道明天会发生什么。
None of us know what will happen tomorrow.
我不知道这个软件怎么用。
I don't know how to use this software.
她假装不知道这件事。
She pretended not to know about this matter.
你不知道这有多重要吗？
Don't you know how important this is?
他对这个突如其来的变故表示不知道该如何应对。
He expressed not knowing how to deal with this sudden change.
对于公司未来的发展方向，大部分员工都表示不知道。
Most employees expressed not knowing the future direction of the company's development.
他看上去心事重重，问他什么都说不知道。
He looked preoccupied and said he didn't know anything when asked.
我不知道你为什么会这么想，但我有不同的看法。
I don't know why you would think that, but I have a different opinion.
这个问题太复杂了，我真的不知道该从何说起。
This problem is too complex; I really don't know where to start.
她一直对自己的过去守口如瓶，我们都不知道她的真实身份。
She has always been tight-lipped about her past; none of us know her true identity.
面对如此多的选择，我真不知道该如何做出决定。
Facing so many choices, I really don't know how to make a decision.
他虽然嘴上说着不知道，但眼神中却透露出一些线索。
Although he said he didn't know, his eyes revealed some clues.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
我不知道你在说什么。
I don't know what you are saying.
我不知道这件事。
I don't know about this matter.
你不知道这有多重要。
You don't know how important this is.
他不知道这个秘密。
He doesn't know this secret.
我们不知道路怎么走。
We don't know how to get there (the way).
不知道为什么，他没来。
Don't know why, he didn't come.
我真的不知道该怎么办。
I really don't know what I should do.
她假装不知道发生了什么。
She pretended not to know what happened.
你不知道他们什么时候回来吗？
Don't you know when they are coming back?
别问我，我也不知道。
Don't ask me, I don't know either.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
"一无所知 (yī wú suǒ zhī)"
To know nothing at all; completely ignorant.
他对这件事一无所知。
neutral"懵然不知 (měng rán bù zhī)"
To be utterly unaware; completely in the dark.
他懵然不知自己犯了个大错。
neutral"不知不觉 (bù zhī bù jué)"
Unconsciously; without realizing it.
不知不觉中，他已经爱上了她。
neutral"不知所措 (bù zhī suǒ cuò)"
At a loss as to what to do; bewildered.
面对突发情况，他感到不知所措。
neutral"不甚了解 (bù shèn liáo jiě)"
Not very clear about; not understand very well.
我对这个计划不甚了解。
formal"一窍不通 (yī qiào bù tōng)"
To be completely ignorant of; to not understand a thing.
他对计算机技术一窍不通。
neutral"丈二和尚摸不着头脑 (zhàng èr hé shàng mō bù zháo tóu nǎo)"
To be utterly confused; unable to make head or tail of something. (Literally: a 12-foot monk can't feel his head)
他说的话让我丈二和尚摸不着头脑。
informal"两眼一抹黑 (liǎng yǎn yī mǒ hēi)"
Completely in the dark; know nothing at all. (Literally: eyes wiped black)
他对新环境两眼一抹黑。
informal"不识庐山真面目 (bù shí lú shān zhēn miàn mù)"
Unable to see the true features of Mount Lu; unable to get a complete picture of something. (Often used when one is too close to a situation to see it clearly)
身在此山中，不识庐山真面目。
neutral"不明就里 (bù míng jiù lǐ)"
Not know the inside story; unaware of the facts.
他不明就里，就胡乱发表意见。
neutralIm Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Expressing lack of knowledge about a fact or situation.
- 我不知道他叫什么名字。
- I don't know what his name is.
- 我不知道怎么去那里。
- I don't know how to get there.
- 我不知道发生了什么事。
- I don't know what happened.
Declining an invitation or request politely by stating uncertainty.
- 我不知道我有没有时间。
- I don't know if I have time.
- 我不知道我能不能帮忙。
- I don't know if I can help.
- 我不知道我感不感兴趣。
- I don't know if I'm interested.
Admitting one's ignorance or lack of understanding about a topic.
- 我不知道你说的是什么。
- I don't know what you're talking about.
- 我对这个话题不太知道。
- I don't know much about this topic.
- 我真的不知道这个问题的答案。
- I really don't know the answer to this question.
Responding to a question when you genuinely don't have the information.
- 我不知道。
- I don't know.
- 对不起，我不知道。
- Sorry, I don't know.
- 我真的不知道。
- I truly don't know.
Indicating uncertainty about a future event or possibility.
- 我不知道明天会不会下雨。
- I don't know if it will rain tomorrow.
- 我不知道我们下次什么时候见面。
- I don't know when we'll meet next time.
- 我不知道他会不会来。
- I don't know if he will come.
Gesprächseinstiege
"你周末有什么计划？我不知道。"
"你觉得这部电影怎么样？我不知道。"
"你喜欢吃辣吗？我不知道。"
"你最喜欢的季节是什么？我不知道。"
"你最近在忙什么？我不知道。"
Tagebuch-Impulse
写下你最近“不知道”的一件事，以及你为什么不知道。
描述一个你曾经假装知道但其实“不知道”的情况。
分享一个你希望自己能“知道”但目前不知道的知识或技能。
思考一下，什么时候说“不知道”是最好的选择？
如果你能知道任何一件事的答案，你会选择知道什么？为什么？
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 Fragen不知道 (bù zhīdào) means 'don't know' in a general sense, like not knowing a fact, an answer, or a piece of information. For example, '我不知道答案' (Wǒ bù zhīdào dá'àn) means 'I don't know the answer.'
不认识 (bù rènshi) specifically means 'don't know' someone or 'don't recognize' something or someone. For example, '我不认识这个人' (Wǒ bù rènshi zhè ge rén) means 'I don't know this person.'
Yes, you can! When paired with '怎么' (zěnme), it means 'don't know how to.' For example, '我不知道怎么做' (Wǒ bù zhīdào zěnme zuò) means 'I don't know how to do it.' Or '我不知道怎么去车站' (Wǒ bù zhīdào zěnme qù chēzhàn) means 'I don't know how to get to the train station.'
It's generally neutral. Just like in English, saying 'I don't know' can be abrupt depending on context. To be more polite, you can add '抱歉' (bàoqiàn - sorry) or '不好意思' (bù hǎoyìsi - excuse me/I'm embarrassed). For example, '抱歉，我不知道' (Bàoqiàn, wǒ bù zhīdào) means 'Sorry, I don't know.'
You can ask '你知道吗？' (Nǐ zhīdào ma?) which means 'Do you know?' The '吗' (ma) particle turns a statement into a yes/no question. You can also use the A-not-A question structure: '你知道不知道？' (Nǐ zhīdào bù zhīdào?) which also means 'Do you know?'
Absolutely. It's a very common and natural way to say 'I don't know' in everyday conversation. For example, if someone asks '他什么时候来？' (Tā shénme shíhou lái? - When is he coming?), you can simply say '不知道' (Bù zhīdào - Don't know).
A common mistake is using '不知道' when '不认识' (bù rènshi) is more appropriate, especially when talking about not knowing people. Remember: 不知道 for facts/information, 不认识 for people/things you haven't met/seen before.
It can sound a bit dismissive if you just say '不知道' without any further explanation or apology, especially if the other person is asking for important information. Adding '抱歉' (bàoqiàn) or '不好意思' (bù hǎoyìsi) can soften it. Also, if you actually *do* know but are pretending not to, it can be rude, but that's about intent, not the word itself.
If they say '不知道' (Bù zhīdào), you can respond with something like '没关系' (méi guānxi - never mind/it's okay) or '谢谢' (xièxie - thank you) if they tried to help. You could also try asking someone else or rephrasing your question.
It usually implies a complete lack of knowledge. If you want to say 'I'm not sure,' you might use phrases like '我不确定' (Wǒ bù quèdìng - I'm not certain) or '可能吧' (kěnéng ba - maybe/perhaps). While '不知道' can sometimes be used in a similar context to 'I'm not sure,' '我不确定' is more precise for 'not sure.'
Yes, it can. For example, '他为什么那么做，我不知道' (Tā wèishénme nàme zuò, wǒ bù zhīdào) translates to 'Why he did that, I don't know,' which can imply a rhetorical 'Who knows?' or 'I have no idea.' It emphasizes that the speaker truly has no answer or understanding.
Teste dich selbst 36 Fragen
我 ___ 他叫什么。
The sentence means 'I don't know what his name is.' '不知道' means 'don't know'.
你 ___ 他在哪里吗？
The sentence asks 'Do you not know where he is?' '不知道' fits here for 'not know'.
对不起，我 ___。
This is a common way to say 'Sorry, I don't know.'
她 ___ 怎么做这个菜。
The sentence means 'She doesn't know how to cook this dish.'
我 ___ 明天有没有课。
The sentence means 'I don't know if there is class tomorrow.'
他 ___ 那个字怎么写。
The sentence means 'He doesn't know how to write that character.'
Write a short sentence saying you don't know someone's name.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我不知道你的名字。(I don't know your name.)
Write a short sentence saying you don't know how to do something (e.g., eat, write).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我不知道怎么写。(I don't know how to write.)
Write a short sentence saying you don't know where something is (e.g., the book, the school).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我不知道书在哪儿。(I don't know where the book is.)
小红知道这是什么吗？
Read this passage:
小明问小红："这是什么？" 小红说："我不知道。" 小明又问："那是谁？" 小红还是说："我不知道。"
小红知道这是什么吗？
小红说了两次“我不知道”，表示她不明白。
小红说了两次“我不知道”，表示她不明白。
学生知道这个字怎么读吗？
Read this passage:
老师问学生："这个字怎么读？" 学生回答："老师，我不知道。" 老师说："没关系，我来教你。"
学生知道这个字怎么读吗？
学生说“我不知道”，所以他不知道怎么读。
学生说“我不知道”，所以他不知道怎么读。
儿子知道他的书在哪儿吗？
Read this passage:
妈妈问儿子："你的书在哪儿？" 儿子说："妈妈，我不知道。" 妈妈帮儿子找到了书。
儿子知道他的书在哪儿吗？
儿子说“我不知道”，所以他不知道书在哪儿。
儿子说“我不知道”，所以他不知道书在哪儿。
You are making plans with a friend but they suggest something you've never heard of. How do you respond, saying you don't know what that is?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
对不起，我不知道那是什么。你能解释一下吗？ (Sorry, I don't know what that is. Can you explain it?)
Imagine you are talking about a new movie, but you haven't seen it yet. How would you tell your friend you don't know if it's good or not?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我还没看这部电影，所以我不知道它好不好看。 (I haven't seen this movie yet, so I don't know if it's good or not.)
A colleague asks you about a new company policy, but you haven't been informed about it. How do you say you don't know anything about the new policy?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
对不起，我不知道关于新政策的任何事情。 (Sorry, I don't know anything about the new policy.)
小红为什么回答'我也不知道'？
Read this passage:
小明问小红：'你知道明天会议的地点吗？' 小红回答说：'对不起，我也不知道。' 小明听了，有点失望。
小红为什么回答'我也不知道'？
小红的回答直接表示她不清楚会议的地点。
小红的回答直接表示她不清楚会议的地点。
大部分学生为什么低下了头？
Read this passage:
老师问学生们：'谁知道这个问题的答案？' 大部分学生都低下了头，表示他们不知道。只有一个学生举手了。
大部分学生为什么低下了头？
学生们低下头通常表示他们不知道问题的答案。
学生们低下头通常表示他们不知道问题的答案。
说话者为什么需要去查一下新闻？
Read this passage:
我在网上看到一个很有趣的新闻，但我不知道它是真是假。我需要去查一下。
说话者为什么需要去查一下新闻？
句子中明确说明“我不知道它是真是假”，所以需要去查证。
句子中明确说明“我不知道它是真是假”，所以需要去查证。
I don't know what he really wants to say.
You don't realize how important this matter is.
Regarding this question, I really don't know how to answer.
Read this aloud:
很多人对这个政策的细节还不知道。
Focus: 不知道 (bù zhī dào)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
他假装不知道这件事，其实心里很清楚。
Focus: 不知道 (bù zhī dào)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
如果你不知道路，可以问一下当地人。
Focus: 不知道 (bù zhī dào)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
对于他突然的辞职，大家都感到十分___。
“不解”在此处表示不理解，与“不知道”的含义相近，但更强调不明白原因。
她对这些复杂的金融术语一无所知，完全是___。
“丈二和尚摸不着头脑”是一个俗语，形容对情况一无所知，摸不着门路，与“不知道”的语境吻合。
关于这次项目的具体细节，我确实___，需要向负责人请教。
“一概不知”表示完全不知道，与“不知道”的程度加深。
他虽然在公司工作多年，但对于高层的决策，他常常___。
“不知情”表示不知道事情的内幕或情况，常用于指对某些信息不了解。
你问的这个问题，我真是___，抱歉无法回答。
“无从知晓”表示没有途径或方法知道，强调信息获取的困难。
对于他的过去，大家都只是一知半解，没有人真正___。
“了解”在这里比“知道”更深一层，表示对他人的情况或事情的来龙去脉有深入的认识。
她对未来充满期待，但具体会发生什么，她也___。
The context implies uncertainty about the future, so '不知道' (not know) is the most fitting word.
面对这个突如其来的变故，所有人都显得很茫然，___如何应对。
The sentence suggests confusion and a lack of knowledge on how to react, making '不知道' (not know) the correct choice.
他虽然在那个领域工作了多年，但对于一些前沿理论，他也___。
Despite his experience, he admits to not knowing cutting-edge theories, so '不知道' (not know) is appropriate.
这部电影的结局出人意料，许多观众都___导演是如何构思的。
The unexpected ending makes viewers curious about the director's ideas, hence '不知道' (not know) fits the context.
尽管专家们给出了各种预测，但地震何时会发生，仍然是人类___的难题。
Earthquake prediction is a challenge because humans '不知道' (don't know) when they will occur.
他试图解释自己的行为，但最后发现自己也___到底为什么要那样做。
He couldn't explain his own actions, indicating he '不知道' (didn't know) why he did it.
/ 36 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
不知道 is a fundamental phrase for expressing a lack of knowledge or uncertainty in Chinese.
- Common way to say 'I don't know.'
- Used for factual information or situations.
- Versatile in various contexts.
