몰라
molla[mo̞ɭɭa̠]informal
In Korean, "I don't know" can be said as 몰라 (molla). Wiktionary also lists 모르겠어요 (moreugesseoyo).
Meaning: I don’t know (intj)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 몰라 | molla | [mo̞ɭɭa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | informal |
| 모르겠어요 | moreugesseoyo | formal |
The phrase is used to express a lack of knowledge or information.
Which one should you use?
While 몰라 is a direct way to say you do not know, the form 모르겠어요 is more polite and carries a softer tone. The suffix –겠– in 모르겠어요 adds a nuance of uncertainty, making the statement feel more indirect.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
몰라 is an informal way to say "I don't know." For a more polite or formal tone, you can use 모르겠어요. The standard formal way to say this is 모릅니다, and the casual version of the polite expression "I don't know well" is 모르겠어.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both forms are derived from the dictionary base form of the verb, 모르다, which means "to not know".
How do you pronounce it?
molla
Did you know?
- In high-pressure formal environments like the military, using 모릅니다 can sometimes be seen as an unacceptable answer, as subordinates are expected to find the answer rather than admit ignorance.
- The phrase 몰라 is frequently used in 'aegyo' (cute speech) by stretching the final vowel into 몰라요~ or 몰라아~ to sound playful or flirtatious.
- While 몰라 means 'I don't know', the phrase 잘 모르겠어요 adds 잘 ('well') to sound even more polite and humble, suggesting the speaker might know a little but is not an expert.
Examples in context
- 난 과학에 대해 잘 몰라.I don't know much about science.This sentence is useful for practicing saying you do not know much about a specific subject using 몰라.Tatoeba #8363686 by Eunhee, translation #6130474 by mailohilohi
- 누가 소문을 내기 시작했는지 난 몰라.I don't know who started the rumor.This sentence is useful for practicing saying you do not know the source of a rumor using 몰라.Tatoeba #8366715 by Eunhee, translation #6251772 by CK
- 톰 사촌이 몇 명인지, 그런 건 몰라.I don't know how many cousins Tom has.This sentence is useful for practicing saying you do not know a specific quantity of something using 몰라.Tatoeba #13148474 by SN_H, translation #5851227 by CK
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Ji-hoon are talking in a park.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈아, 이 노래 제목이 뭐야?Ji-hoon-ah, i norae jemogi mwoya?Ji-hoon, what is the title of this song?
- 지훈 Ji-hun나도 몰라.Nado molla.I don't know either.
- 지은 Ji-eun진짜 몰라?Jinjja molla?You really don't know?
- 지훈 Ji-hun응, 전혀 몰라.Eung, jeonhyeo molla.Yeah, I have no idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I don't know” translations and entries 몰라, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
