Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| nunca se sabe | /ˌnunka se ˈsabe/ | |
| quién quita | /ˌkjen ˈkita/ | |
| uno nunca sabe | /uno nunka sabe/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| una nunca sabe | /una nunka sabe/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
Spanish speakers use these phrases to speculate about a slim chance. Nunca se sabe is typically used to express caution or to highlight the unpredictability of a situation. In contrast, quién quita is often used more optimistically or playfully to suggest that a surprising positive outcome is possible.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase nunca se sabe literally translates to "one never knows" because it uses the impersonal se rather than a direct "you".
Which one should you use?
While nunca se sabe is a general statement about uncertainty, quién quita is a more idiomatic, colloquial way to express that a slim possibility might actually happen. Additionally, you may use quién sabe as an informal way to say "you never know".
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms uno nunca sabe and una nunca sabe both mean "one never knows", but they differ by gender. The form uno nunca sabe uses the masculine pronoun uno to represent a generic "one" or "someone", while una nunca sabe uses the feminine pronoun una to represent a generic "one" or "someone".
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌnunka se ˈsabe/
Did you know?
- The phrase quién quita literally translates to 'who removes', which sounds nothing like 'you never know' in English.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying nunca se sabe can be a way to politely avoid giving a definitive 'no' to a request or invitation.
- The expression quién quita uses a form of the verb quitar, which comes from the Latin 'quietus', meaning 'at rest' or 'quiet'.
Examples in context
- Nunca se sabe quién podría abordarte en una calle oscura.You never know who might accost you on a dark street.This sentence uses nunca se sabe to show the unpredictability of someone approaching you.Tatoeba #11952780 by Eremon, translation #8860374 by AlanF_US
- Quién quita y hoy encuentras a tu media naranja…You never know, maybe you’ll find your significant other tonight?This sentence uses quién quita to suggest a playful, positive possibility.
- Nunca se sabe lo que puede pasar.You never know what may happen.This sentence uses nunca se sabe to state that the future is unpredictable.Tatoeba #11204925 by carlosalberto, translation #11204919 by carlosalberto
- No deberíamos subestimar a nuestros competidores en el mercado internacional. Uno nunca sabe lo que podrían hacer para mejorar su posición.We shouldn't underestimate our competitors in the international market, one never knows what they could do to enhance their position.
- El clima puede ser realmente variable en esta época del año. Nunca se sabe si lloverá o hará sol.The weather can be really variable at this time of the year, you never know if it will rain or be sunny.
- ¿Podremos conseguir boletos para el concierto? Quién sabe, pero vale la pena intentarlo.Will we be able to get tickets for the concert? Who knows, but it's worth a try.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are discussing whether to bring an umbrella to the park.
- MateoNo creo que llueva hoy, hace sol.I don't think it will rain today, it's sunny.
- SofíaLleva el paraguas, nunca se sabe.Take the umbrella, you never know.
- MateoTienes razón, el cielo se ve algo gris.You're right, the sky looks a bit grey.
- SofíaMejor prevenir que lamentar.Better safe than sorry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “you never know” translations and entries nunca se sabe, quién quita, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nunca, quita, quién, se, una, uno, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
