Signification
Admitting total lack of knowledge.
Contexte culturel
In Turkish culture, admitting you don't know something is often seen as more polite than giving a wrong answer, especially in professional settings. The phrase is the standard translation for Socrates' famous quote, used to teach intellectual humility in Turkish schools. On Turkish Twitter/X, 'Hiçbir şey bilmiyorum' is a common meme used when a new, complex scandal breaks out and everyone is confused. In Turkish courts, witnesses often use this phrase to avoid perjury if they are unsure of the details.
The 'Shrug' Phrase
Pair this phrase with a shoulder shrug and a slight pout to look like a native speaker.
Double Negatives
Never use 'biliyorum' with 'hiçbir şey'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
Signification
Admitting total lack of knowledge.
The 'Shrug' Phrase
Pair this phrase with a shoulder shrug and a slight pout to look like a native speaker.
Double Negatives
Never use 'biliyorum' with 'hiçbir şey'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
Adding 'Gerçekten'
Add 'Gerçekten' (Really) at the beginning to sound more sincere: 'Gerçekten hiçbir şey bilmiyorum.'
The Socratic Link
If you want to sound smart, mention that you are like Socrates when you say this.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct negative form of the verb 'bilmek'.
Ben bu konu hakkında hiçbir şey __________.
The phrase 'hiçbir şey' requires the first-person singular negative form 'bilmiyorum'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct spelling and grammar:
'Hiçbir' is one word, 'şey' is separate, and the verb must be negative.
Match the response to the situation.
Someone asks you for directions in a city you are visiting for the first time.
This explains that you are also a stranger and cannot help.
Complete the dialogue.
Ayşe: Sınav nasıldı? Mehmet: Çok zordu, __________.
While 'bilmiyorum' is okay, in the context of an exam that already happened, 'anlamadım' (I didn't understand) or 'hiçbir şey yapamadım' is common, but 'hiçbir şey bilmiyorum' works to express total failure.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use 'Hiçbir şey bilmiyorum'
School
- • Exams
- • Teacher questions
- • New topics
Social
- • Gossip
- • Secret keeping
- • New friends
Work
- • New projects
- • Other departments
- • Mistakes
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesBen bu konu hakkında hiçbir şey __________.
The phrase 'hiçbir şey' requires the first-person singular negative form 'bilmiyorum'.
Choose the correct spelling and grammar:
'Hiçbir' is one word, 'şey' is separate, and the verb must be negative.
Someone asks you for directions in a city you are visiting for the first time.
This explains that you are also a stranger and cannot help.
Ayşe: Sınav nasıldı? Mehmet: Çok zordu, __________.
While 'bilmiyorum' is okay, in the context of an exam that already happened, 'anlamadım' (I didn't understand) or 'hiçbir şey yapamadım' is common, but 'hiçbir şey bilmiyorum' works to express total failure.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it is generally neutral. However, your tone of voice matters. If said sharply, it can sound dismissive.
It's better to say 'Bu konuda tecrübem yok' (I have no experience in this) to sound more professional.
It is a compound word in Turkish grammar rules, combining 'hiç' and 'bir'.
The latter is much stronger. 'Bilmiyorum' is 'I don't know', while 'Hiçbir şey bilmiyorum' is 'I don't know anything at all'.
Yes, that is the aorist form. it means 'I don't (usually) know anything' or 'I won't know anything'.
Senin hakkında hiçbir şey bilmiyorum.
Yes, many Turkish pop and rock songs use this phrase to express confusion in love.
Bu konuda hiçbir şey bilmiyorum.
No, 'şey' is only for things. For people, you would say 'Hiç kimseyi tanımıyorum' (I don't know anyone).
In slang, you can just say 'Hiç' or 'Yok' while shaking your head.
Expressions liées
Hiçbir fikrim yok
similarI have no idea
Haberim yok
similarI wasn't aware
Bilmiyorum
synonymI don't know
Her şeyi biliyorum
contrastI know everything
Cahil kalmak
builds onTo remain ignorant
