Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ik weet het niet | ||
| ik weenie | colloquial | |
| weet ik veel | /ʋeːt ˈɪk ˌfeːl/ /ˈʋeːt ɪk ˌfeːl/ |
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ik weet het niet literally translates to 'I know it not'.
Which one should you use?
In contrast, weet ik veel is an idiomatic expression that functions like 'How should I know?' or 'I have no idea', often carrying a tone of indifference or annoyance. The form ik weenie is a highly informal, almost childish or slangy way to say 'I don't know'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you want to be formal, you can use Dat is mij onbekend, which means 'That is unknown to me.' For informal situations, you might use Geen flauw idee. (No clue.), Ik heb geen benul. (I have no clue.), or Ik zou het echt niet weten. (I really wouldn't know.).
How does it change in a sentence?
In the standard phrase ik weet het niet, the word het (it) is a necessary object. You cannot simply say ik weet niet to mean 'I don't know'.
Did you know?
- To show extreme uncertainty, Dutch speakers use geen flauw idee. The word flauw usually means 'faint' or 'weak', implying the 'idea' is so weak it doesn't even exist.
- The word niet in the phrase ik weet het niet has a much more dramatic history than the simple adverb 'not'. It originates from a phrase meaning 'not a thing', which is the exact same way the English word 'naught' or 'nought' was formed.
- If you use the informal expression weet ik veel, you are technically saying 'Do I know much?' While it translates to 'How should I know?', the literal word order is a question about the amount of your knowledge.
Examples in context
- Ik weet het niet.I don't know.This sentence is useful for stating 'I don't know.'Tatoeba #5963 by Dorenda, translation #349064 by fatih
- Nee, ik weet het niet.No, I don't know.Tatoeba #384936 by Dorenda, translation #66782 by orcrist
- Ik weet het niet zeker.I don't know for sure.Tatoeba #2000436 by martinod, translation #869429 by CK
- Ik weet het niet, sorry.I don't know, sorry.
- Geen flauw idee, ik heb ze niet gezien.No clue, I haven't seen them.
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Levi and Lisa are looking for a nearby café.
- LeviWeet jij waar het café is?Do you know where the café is?
- LisaNee, ik weet het niet.No, I don't know.
- LeviMisschien is het verderop.Maybe it is further up.
- LisaLaten we gaan zoeken.Let's go look for it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I don't know” translations and entries weet ik veel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries het, ik, niet, weet, weet ik veel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
