Meaning
A casual way to say 'I don't know'.
Cultural Background
Italians value expressiveness. 'Boh' is not just a word; it's a full-body performance involving the face, shoulders, and hands. In Milan or Turin, 'Boh' might be used more quickly and sharply, often to signal that a conversation is over or that a topic is a waste of time. In the South, 'Boh' is often more melodic and can be stretched out ('Boooooh') to express a deeper sense of mystery or even a bit of drama. Among young Italians, 'Boh' is the ultimate 'filler' word, used in almost every sentence to express a general sense of 'whatever' or 'I'm not sure'.
The Lip Pout
To sound truly Italian, slightly push your bottom lip out when saying 'Boh'. It adds that perfect touch of 'I don't know and it's not my problem'.
Watch the Register
Never say 'Boh' to your Italian mother-in-law if she asks if you like her cooking. It will be taken as a sign of extreme indifference!
Meaning
A casual way to say 'I don't know'.
The Lip Pout
To sound truly Italian, slightly push your bottom lip out when saying 'Boh'. It adds that perfect touch of 'I don't know and it's not my problem'.
Watch the Register
Never say 'Boh' to your Italian mother-in-law if she asks if you like her cooking. It will be taken as a sign of extreme indifference!
The Silent Boh
Sometimes you don't even need the word. A simple shoulder shrug with palms up is the 'silent Boh' and is understood by every Italian.
Texting Style
In WhatsApp, writing 'Boh...' with three dots suggests you are still thinking, while 'Boh!' with an exclamation mark means you are totally clueless.
Test Yourself
Complete the WhatsApp conversation between two friends.
Giulia: 'A che ora apre la pizzeria?' Tu: '_______, forse alle sette.'
Since you are guessing the time ('forse'), 'Boh' is the natural way to start the sentence.
In which situation is it appropriate to use 'Boh'?
Select the correct context:
'Boh' is informal slang and should only be used in casual settings with friends or family.
Which gesture usually accompanies the word 'Boh'?
The gesture is:
The 'Italian Shrug' is the essential physical component of saying 'Boh'.
Fill in the blank with the best word to express skepticism.
Lui dice che ha vinto un milione di euro... ____, speriamo sia vero!
In this context, 'Boh' expresses doubt or skepticism about a claim.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use Boh!
With Friends
- • Asking about plans
- • Gossip
- • Movie opinions
At Home
- • Where are my socks?
- • What's for dinner?
- • Who called?
In Public
- • Asking for directions
- • Bus schedules
- • Weather
Practice Bank
4 exercisesGiulia: 'A che ora apre la pizzeria?' Tu: '_______, forse alle sette.'
Since you are guessing the time ('forse'), 'Boh' is the natural way to start the sentence.
Select the correct context:
'Boh' is informal slang and should only be used in casual settings with friends or family.
The gesture is:
The 'Italian Shrug' is the essential physical component of saying 'Boh'.
Lui dice che ha vinto un milione di euro... ____, speriamo sia vero!
In this context, 'Boh' expresses doubt or skepticism about a claim.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt depends on the context. With friends, it's perfectly normal. With a boss or a stranger in a formal setting, it can be seen as lazy or disrespectful.
The most common spelling is 'Boh'. You might also see 'Bò' with an accent, but 'Boh' is the standard in most dictionaries and informal writing.
Only if the email is to a very close friend. In any professional or semi-formal email, avoid it entirely.
'Non lo so' is the standard, neutral way to say 'I don't know.' 'Boh' is the slang, casual version that often carries a vibe of 'Who knows?' or 'I don't care'.
No, it is an interjection and never changes its form.
It is used equally across all of Italy. It is one of the few slang terms that is truly national.
Yes, children use it all the time, though parents might tell them to be more polite and say 'Non lo so' instead.
No, never. It always indicates a lack of knowledge or certainty.
The 'h' is a graphic convention in Italian to show that the vowel is short and the word is an interjection (like 'Ah', 'Oh', 'Uh').
Yes, a sharp, loud 'BOH!' can express frustration at not being able to understand a situation.
Yes! Shrug your shoulders, raise your eyebrows, and turn your palms toward the sky.
You will likely come across as unprofessional. It's better to say 'Non saprei' or 'Dovrei controllare'.
Related Phrases
Mah
similarExpresses doubt or skepticism.
Chissà
similarWho knows?
Che ne so
synonymWhat do I know?
Non ne ho idea
synonymI have no idea.
Uffa
contrastWhat a bore / I'm annoyed.
