The Art of Saying “I Don’t Know”

“I don’t know” is one of the most important things to know how to say in any language. Guy explains how to say to someone that you don’t have a clue in Hebrew, and even suggests what you should do with your shoulders and bottom lip while saying it.

New Words and Expressions:

Ani lo yode’a / yoda’at – I don’t know – אני לא יודע / אני לא יודעת

“Lo yode’a, slicha” – Sorry, I don’t know – לא יודע, סליחה

Ani mamash lo yode’a/yoda’at – I really don’t know – אני ממש לא יודע/יודעת

Kshe’at omeret lo, le-ma at mitkavenet? – When you say no, what do you actually mean? – כשאת אומרת לא למה את מתכוונת

“Kshe-isha omeret lo, hi mitkavenet le-lo” – When a woman says ‘no’, she means no – כשאישה אומרת לא, היא מתכוונת ללא

Me-efo ani yodea – How would I know? – מאיפה אני יודע/ת

Me-efo li lada’at? – How would I know? – מאיפה לי לדעת

Me-efo ani eda – How would I know? – מאיפה אני אדע

Ani yode’a, ani? – How do I know? – אני יודע, אני

Ein li musag ma osim – I don’t have a clue what to do – אין לי מושג מה עושים

Yesh lach/lecha ulay musag… – Do you have a clue… – יש לך אולי מושג

Ein li shemetz shel musag – I don’t have a shred of a clue – אין לי שמץ של מושג

Ana aref? – How do I know (Ar.) – אנא עארף

Ana arfa – I know (Ar., f.) – אנא עארפה

Playlist and Clips:

Ha-tarnegolim – Kshe’at omeret lo (lyrics)

Carolina – Machma’ot (lyrics)

Ha-dorbanim – Yatsanu Lirkod (lyrics)

Tamer Hosny – Ya’ani Khalas 

Latifa – Ana Arfa

Shalom Hanoch – Lo Yode’a Eich Lomar Lach (lyrics)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Listen on your favorite podcast app