A2 Expression ニュートラル

Não sei.

I don't know.

意味

To state a lack of knowledge or information.

🌍

文化的背景

Brazilians often use 'Não sei não' to express suspicion. It's not just a lack of knowledge; it's a sign that something feels 'fishy'. In Portugal, 'Não sei' is often followed by 'de nada' (I don't know about anything) to emphasize a total lack of involvement in a situation. In Luanda, you might hear 'Não estou a ver', which literally means 'I'm not seeing', but is used idiomatically to mean 'I don't know' or 'I don't understand'. Politeness is key. 'Não sei' is often preceded by 'Desculpe' (Sorry) even if the person has no obligation to know the answer.

🎯

The Brazilian 'Não sei não'

If you want to sound like a local in Brazil, add a second 'não' at the end to show you are skeptical about something.

⚠️

Saber vs Conhecer

Never use 'Não sei' for people. It's the most common mistake for English speakers!

意味

To state a lack of knowledge or information.

🎯

The Brazilian 'Não sei não'

If you want to sound like a local in Brazil, add a second 'não' at the end to show you are skeptical about something.

⚠️

Saber vs Conhecer

Never use 'Não sei' for people. It's the most common mistake for English speakers!

💬

Body Language

A slight shrug of the shoulders often accompanies 'Não sei' and makes you look much more natural.

自分をテスト

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase.

Onde está o meu celular? Eu ____.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: não sei

The subject is 'Eu' (I), so the verb 'saber' must be conjugated as 'sei'.

Which sentence is correct when talking about a person?

Você conhece o novo professor?

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Não conheço ele.

We use 'conhecer' for people, not 'saber'.

Complete the dialogue with the most natural informal response.

Amigo A: 'A que horas começa o filme?' Amigo B: '____, vamos ver no site.'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Sei lá

'Sei lá' is the most natural informal way to say 'I don't know' among friends.

Match the phrase to the situation.

A boss asking for a report you haven't finished.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Ainda não possuo essa informação, vou verificar.

In a formal work environment, a more professional variation is preferred over a blunt 'Não sei'.

🎉 スコア: /4

ビジュアル学習ツール

Formality Levels of 'I don't know'

Formal
Desconheço I am unaware
Neutral
Não sei I don't know
Informal
Sei lá Who knows

練習問題バンク

4 問題
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase. Fill Blank A1

Onde está o meu celular? Eu ____.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: não sei

The subject is 'Eu' (I), so the verb 'saber' must be conjugated as 'sei'.

Which sentence is correct when talking about a person? Choose A2

Você conhece o novo professor?

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Não conheço ele.

We use 'conhecer' for people, not 'saber'.

Complete the dialogue with the most natural informal response. dialogue_completion B1

Amigo A: 'A que horas começa o filme?' Amigo B: '____, vamos ver no site.'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Sei lá

'Sei lá' is the most natural informal way to say 'I don't know' among friends.

Match the phrase to the situation. situation_matching B2

A boss asking for a report you haven't finished.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Ainda não possuo essa informação, vou verificar.

In a formal work environment, a more professional variation is preferred over a blunt 'Não sei'.

🎉 スコア: /4

よくある質問

10 問

No, it's neutral. However, adding 'Desculpe' (Sorry) before it makes it more polite.

'Não sei' is neutral/standard. 'Sei lá' is informal and implies you don't care as much about the answer.

Yes, but it's more common to drop the 'Eu'. Adding 'Eu' adds a bit of emphasis on yourself.

Use 'Ainda não sei'.

Yes, it is universal across all Portuguese-speaking countries.

Use 'Não faço ideia'.

Yes, but in a formal email, 'Não possuo essa informação' or 'Desconheço' is better.

The second 'não' adds emphasis and often suggests doubt or suspicion.

Yes, it can stand alone as a full answer to a question.

It's a nasal vowel. Try to say 'ah' while closing your nose slightly.

関連フレーズ

🔄

Sei lá

synonym

I have no clue / Who knows

🔗

Não faço ideia

similar

I have no idea

🔗

Não conheço

contrast

I don't know (a person/place)

🔗

Quem sabe

builds on

Who knows / Maybe

🔗

Não sei de nada

specialized form

I know nothing about it

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