Dictionary / French / I don't know
How to Say "I don't know" in French
Je ne sais pas
/ʒə nə sɛ pa/
Literally: I do not know
Je
I
ne
not
sais
know
pas
(not)
Good to know
In everyday speech the ne often drops out: je sais pas. Said fast, it can sound like chais pas, which is informal and best kept for friends. In writing and polite situations, keep the full je ne sais pas. Aucune idée means no idea.
Correct
Je ne sais pas
What people say wrong
Je ne connais pas
I'm not familiar with (him, her, it); for people, places and things, not facts
The mistake to avoid. French has two verbs for to know. Savoir is for facts and information: where, when, how, whether. Connaître is for people, places and things you are familiar with. Je ne connais pas means you are not familiar with a person, place or thing, so it does not answer a question about facts. When you don't know the answer, it is je ne sais pas.
In context
Je ne sais pas où il habite.
I don't know where he lives.
Je sais pas, demande à Paul.
I don't know, ask Paul.
Je ne connais pas ce restaurant.
I don't know this restaurant.