What does 모르겠어요 (moreugesseoyo) mean?
- 모르겠어요moreugesseoyo
I don't know / I'm not sure
Polite: safe with most people
모르겠어요 (moreugesseoyo) means "I don't know" or "I'm not sure" in polite Korean. It sounds softer than a flat "I don't know", more like "I'm not really sure".
Where it comes from
It is 모르다 (to not know) plus 겠, which here softens the statement, and the polite ending 어요.
How to use 모르겠어요
Use 모르겠어요 when you are asked something you can't answer, when you are confused, or when you can't decide. 잘 모르겠어요 (I'm not quite sure) is one of the most useful phrases for learners.
몰라요 also means "I don't know", but it is more blunt and factual. 모르겠어요 sounds more thoughtful and polite, so it is the safer choice with strangers, teachers and coworkers.
With friends, use 모르겠어 or the even shorter 몰라. In formal settings such as work meetings, 모르겠습니다 is used.
Examples
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A stranger asks you for directions
A coworker asks if the meeting moved
Lost in a new neighborhood
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 모르겠어 | I don't know | Casual form. |
| 잘 모르겠어요 | I'm not quite sure | Very common, gentle answer. |
| 모르겠습니다 | I don't know | Formal, for work or official settings. |
| 몰라요 | I don't know | Polite but blunter. |
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between moreugesseoyo and mollayo?
Both mean "I don't know". 모르겠어요 is softer and sounds like "I'm not sure", while 몰라요 is more direct.
How do you say I don't understand in Korean?
모르겠어요 often covers it, as in 잘 모르겠어요. To say you didn't understand what someone said, 이해가 안 돼요 (I don't understand) is also common.
What is the casual form?
모르겠어 or 몰라. Use them with friends and people younger than you.