By ProDev Teach | Updated May 2025
Meaning & Usage
知らない (shiranai) is the negative present form of the verb 知る (shiru), meaning “to know.” It literally means “don’t know.”
It’s commonly used when you want to express that you don’t know something, someone, or some information.
Plain form: 知らない
Polite form: 知りません (shirimasen)
Example Sentences
- 私は知らない。
I don’t know. - 彼の名前を知らない。
I don’t know his name. - そのことは知らなかった。
I didn’t know about that. - ごめん、知らないよ。
Sorry, I don’t know. (casual) - 英語で何と言うか知らない。
I don’t know how to say it in English.
Grammar Notes
- 知らない is the negative form of the verb 知る.
- It is in the present tense and informal.
- Use 知りません for polite or formal speech.
- To say “I didn’t know,” use 知らなかった.
Practice Exercises
1. Translate into Japanese
- I don’t know Japanese.
- He doesn’t know the answer.
- We didn’t know that.
✔ Sample Answers:
- 日本語を知らない。
- 彼は答えを知らない。
- 私たちはそれを知らなかった。
Vocabulary List
- 知る（しる） – to know
- 知らない（しらない） – don’t know
- 名前（なまえ） – name
- 答え（こたえ） – answer
- 日本語（にほんご） – Japanese language
Kanji List
- 知（し） – know
- 名（な） – name
- 前（まえ） – before/front
- 答（こた） – answer
- 日（にち） – day/sun
- 本（ほん） – origin/book
- 語（ご） – language/word
Related Expressions
- 知っている – to know (present continuous, “I know”)
- 分からない – I don’t understand
- 覚えていない – I don’t remember
Summary
- Meaning: I don’t know
- Form: 知る → 知らない (negative present)
- Level: Beginner
- Polite version: 知りません
Related Grammar & Vocabulary
- JLPT N5 Grammar List – 60 Essential Grammar Points
- に – direction; time; target
- になる – to become
- にする – to decide on; make it ~
- の – possessive; explanation
- の – noun modifier
- を – object marker
- お願いします – please (polite request)
- そうです – that’s right; I heard that ~
- そうになる – almost did; on the verge of
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I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
