Meaning
A less formal way to express lack of knowledge or understanding.
Cultural Background
Saying 'I don't know' directly can sometimes be seen as unhelpful. Koreans often add '잘' (well) to make it '잘 몰라요' (I don't know well), which sounds softer and more apologetic. The phrase '1도 몰라' (Ildo molla) became a massive meme and song title (by Apink). It literally means 'I don't even know 1,' meaning 'I have no clue.' In a company, saying '몰라요' to a senior can be a career-killer. It sounds like you don't care about your job. '확인해 보겠습니다' (I will check) is the professional way to say you don't know yet. Parents often use '몰라!' (I don't know/care!) when they are playfully refusing a child's request, often with a specific high-pitched intonation.
The 'Jal' Trick
Always put '잘' (jal) before '몰라요' to sound 10x more like a native speaker. It softens the blow of not knowing.
Avoid 'An Arayo'
This is the #1 mistake for English speakers. Your brain will want to say it. Fight the urge!
Meaning
A less formal way to express lack of knowledge or understanding.
The 'Jal' Trick
Always put '잘' (jal) before '몰라요' to sound 10x more like a native speaker. It softens the blow of not knowing.
Avoid 'An Arayo'
This is the #1 mistake for English speakers. Your brain will want to say it. Fight the urge!
Body Language
A small shrug is okay, but a slight bow or an apologetic look is better when saying '몰라요' to someone older.
Past Tense
Use '몰랐어요' when someone tells you something new. It shows you are actively learning.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct polite form of 'to not know'.
저는 그 사람을 _______.
'몰라요' is the correct polite present tense conjugation of '모르다'.
Fill in the blank with the past tense ('I didn't know').
미안해요, 어제는 ______.
The past tense of 모르다 is 몰랐어요.
Complete the dialogue politely.
A: 이 근처에 은행이 어디에 있어요? B: 죄송합니다. 저도 잘 _______.
In a street conversation with a stranger, '몰라요' is the most natural polite response.
Match the phrase to the person you are speaking to.
1. 몰라 2. 몰라요 3. 모릅니다
Informal for friends, polite for strangers, formal for bosses.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Knowing vs. Not Knowing
Practice Bank
4 exercises저는 그 사람을 _______.
'몰라요' is the correct polite present tense conjugation of '모르다'.
미안해요, 어제는 ______.
The past tense of 모르다 is 몰랐어요.
A: 이 근처에 은행이 어디에 있어요? B: 죄송합니다. 저도 잘 _______.
In a street conversation with a stranger, '몰라요' is the most natural polite response.
1. 몰라 2. 몰라요 3. 모릅니다
Informal for friends, polite for strangers, formal for bosses.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's polite. However, using it very abruptly without '죄송합니다' or '잘' can sound a bit cold.
'몰라' is for friends (informal), '몰라요' is for everyone else (polite).
Technically yes, but '이해 못 해요' is much clearer if you are confused by a concept.
Use '아직 몰라요' (ajik mollayo).
No, '모르다' is a native Korean word. However, the concept of 'not knowing' is often related to the Hanja {無|무} (nothingness).
Because '모르다' is a '르' irregular verb. The 'ㅡ' drops and 'ㄹ' doubles.
It's better to say '잘 모르겠습니다' in a professional setting.
It's slang for 'I don't know even a tiny bit.'
누구신지 몰라요 (Nugusinji mollayo).
Yes, it sounds more humble and less direct.
Related Phrases
알아요
contrastI know
모르겠어요
similarI'm not sure / I don't know (softer)
이해 못 해요
builds onI don't understand
기억 안 나요
similarI don't remember
상관없어요
specialized formI don't care / It doesn't matter
