わかりません
ja
en
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Translating...
I don't understand, I don't know
/wakarimasen/
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It is a polite way to say you lack understanding or information about something, and it can serve as a neutral response when you have no clue.
Examples
どういう意味かわかりません。
I don't get what it means.
質問が多すぎて、わかりません。
There are too many questions, I don't understand.
日本語がわかりません。
I don't understand Japanese.
この説明はわかりません。
I don't understand this explanation.
すみません、わかりません。
Sorry, I don't understand.
Similar words
見当がつきません
理解不足です
分かりません
答えが分かりません
把握できません
理解できません
Meanings
Examples
すみません、わかりません。
Sorry, I don't understand.
この説明はわかりません。
I don't understand this explanation.
質問が多すぎて、わかりません。
There are too many questions, I don't understand.
日本語がわかりません。
I don't understand Japanese.
どういう意味かわかりません。
I don't get what it means.
Similar words
理解できません
分かりません
把握できません
見当がつきません
答えが分かりません
理解不足です
Etymology
From the verb わかる ‘to understand’ plus the polite negative ません.
FAQ
わかりません means “I don’t understand” or “I don’t know” in a polite way.
When should I use わかりません instead of 知りません?
Use わかりません when you lack understanding of the content; 知りません is used for lacking factual knowledge.
Is わかりません appropriate in casual conversation?
In casual speech you would usually say わからない; わかりません sounds formal.
How do I form the negative polite of わかる?
Replace the ます form わかります with its negative わかりません.
Can わかりません be used to refuse answering a question?
It can convey lack of knowledge, but for a refusal you might choose a different expression.
What particle do I need with わかりません?
わかりません typically follows a clause, e.g., 日本語がわかりません; no extra particle is required.
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