Signification
Stating that you lack information about something.
Contexte culturel
Filipinos are generally very helpful. If someone says 'Hindi ko alam,' they might still try to help you find someone who does know. The use of 'Ewan' is very common in Manila and surrounding provinces as a quick, sometimes playful way to say 'I don't know.' While 'Hindi ko alam' is understood, the local equivalent 'Ambot' is used with much more frequency and can carry a stronger sense of 'I don't care.' In offices, 'Hindi ko pa po alam' is a polite way to defer a question until more data is gathered.
The 'Eh' Factor
Add 'eh' at the end (Hindi ko alam eh) to sound more like a native speaker. It softens the statement.
Avoid 'Hindi Alam Ko'
This is the most common beginner mistake. Always put 'ko' after 'Hindi'.
Signification
Stating that you lack information about something.
The 'Eh' Factor
Add 'eh' at the end (Hindi ko alam eh) to sound more like a native speaker. It softens the statement.
Avoid 'Hindi Alam Ko'
This is the most common beginner mistake. Always put 'ko' after 'Hindi'.
Use 'Pa'
Saying 'Hindi ko pa alam' (I don't know yet) sounds much more proactive than just 'I don't know.'
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct pronoun to say 'I don't know.'
Hindi ___ alam.
'ko' is the correct first-person pronoun used with 'alam' in this structure.
How do you say 'I don't know' politely to an elder?
Which one is correct?
Adding 'po' makes the phrase respectful.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Nasaan ang nanay mo? B: _________.
The question asks for a location, so 'I don't know' is a logical response.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are asked a question in a formal job interview.
'Batid' is the formal version of 'alam'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Variations of 'I don't know'
Formal
- • Hindi ko po batid
- • Wala po akong kaalaman
Neutral
- • Hindi ko alam
- • Hindi ko pa alam
Informal
- • Ewan ko
- • Malay ko
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesHindi ___ alam.
'ko' is the correct first-person pronoun used with 'alam' in this structure.
Which one is correct?
Adding 'po' makes the phrase respectful.
A: Nasaan ang nanay mo? B: _________.
The question asks for a location, so 'I don't know' is a logical response.
You are asked a question in a formal job interview.
'Batid' is the formal version of 'alam'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsNo, 'Hindi' just means 'No.' To say 'I don't know,' you need the full phrase.
It can be. Use it with friends, but avoid it with teachers or bosses.
'Alam' is the state of knowing; 'malaman' is the act of finding out.
You say 'Wala akong alam.'
Expressions liées
Ewan ko
synonymI don't know (informal)
Malay ko
slangHow should I know?
Hindi ko kilala
contrastI don't know (a person)
Hindi ko maintindihan
similarI don't understand
Baka
builds onMaybe
Siguro
builds onPerhaps
