对
duì
Correct
How to say "I don't know" in Chinese
我不知道
wǒ bù zhīdào
I don't know
Grammar and structure
This is a simple subject-verb phrase: 我 (wǒ) means "I," 不 (bù) negates the verb, and 知道 (zhīdào) means "to know." Together it literally means "I don't know."
When to use it
Use this in casual and formal settings alike when you genuinely don't have an answer. Unlike English, there's no polite alternative like "I'm not sure" — adding 很抱歉 (hěn bàoqiàn, "sorry") can soften it if needed.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “I don't know” in Chinese?
“I don't know” in Chinese is 我不知道 (wǒ bù zhīdào).
How do you pronounce 我不知道?
我不知道 is pronounced wǒ bù zhīdào.
More phrases for this situation
Tomyo
Learn Chinese with spaced repetition
Remember 我不知道 and hundreds of other phrases with smart reviews, audio and examples.