✍️The difference between [しりません] and [わかりません]🤔

Have you ever wondered how to say “I don’t know” in Japanese?

You may have heard both “しりません” and “わかりません”.

Even though they seem similar in English, they actually carry different meanings and nuances in Japanese.

In this post, we’ll break down when to use each one, what they really mean, and how to sound more natural in everyday conversation.🗣

【①The basic meanings of  “しりません” and “わかりません”】

👩‍🏫“しりません” means “I don’t have any information about that.” / “I’m not familiar with it.”

🤔わたしは田中(たなか)さんを知(し)りません。

⇨ I don’t know Mr. Tanaka. / I’m not familiar with Mr. Tanaka.

In this sentence, it means you’ve never met Mr. Tanaka and you don’t have any information about who he is.

👩‍🏫 “わかりません” is used when you don’t understand something, or when you can’t figure out the answer even after thinking about it.

😥私は田中さんがわかりません。

⇨ I know who Mr. Tanaka is, but I don’t understand him.

Here, it means you do know Mr. Tanaka, but you don’t understand what kind of person he is.

【②“しりません” and “わかりません” have different nuances】

Depending on the situation, “しりません” can sound cold or dismissive, so be careful.

A: Dhoby Ghaut駅(えき)は どこですか。

B: しりません。😒(I don’t know.)

Using “しりません” can imply something like: “I’m not interested.” / “That’s not my problem.”

In this situation, it’s better to say “わかりません”

A: Dhoby Ghaut駅(えき)は どこですか。

B: わかりません。😢(I’m not sure… sorry.)

With “分かりません,” the nuance is more like:“I thought about it, but I really don’t know…sorry.”

So it sounds softer and kinder.

【③You can’t use “しりません” when talking about your own plans】

A: Bさん、たけ先生は どこに 住(す)んでいるか 知(し)っていますか。(Do you know where Take-sensei lives?)

B: ◯しりません。😒

    ◯わかりません。😢

In this case, both are possible.

But like we said in ②, “しりません” may sound a bit cold, like “I’m not interested / it doesn’t concern me.”

“わかりません” sounds more polite and gentle, like “Sorry, I’m not sure.”

A: Bさんは明日(あした) 何(なに)を しますか。(What are you going to do tomorrow?)

B: ×う〜ん、しりません。

    ◯う〜ん、わかりません。

When someone asks about your own plans, you can’t say “しりません.”

Even though “しりません” technically means “I don’t have that information,” with your own schedule, “I don’t know” actually means:“I haven’t decided yet.” / “I haven’t thought about it.” / “I don’t have plans yet.”

So for your own actions or plans, “わかりません” is the natural choice.

どうでしたか。(how’s my explanation?)

日本語(にほんご)は難(むずか)しいですが、おもしろいですよね😊

I hope you enjoy learning and speaking Japanese! 👍✨

Takemoto

Tomo Japanese Language School

https://www.tomo-japanese.com/