🤷‍♀️❓

How to Say ‘I didn't know’ in French

Je ne savais pas

zhuh nuh sah-VEH pah

[zhuh nuh sah-VEH pah]

💬 Usage Tip: Use savais for a state of not knowing in the past. That makes it the natural form for "I didn't know".

Phrase Breakdown

Je ne

zhuh nuh

I didn't

Subject plus negation. In casual speech this often sounds like 'j'ne' or the 'ne' disappears.

Example

Je ne sais pas.

I don't know.

Words in this phrase

[zhuh]

Pronoun used by the speaker to identify themselves.

Example

Je suis content.

I am happy.

[nuh]

(negation) not

Negation particle used with another negative word (ne… rien). In speech, it can be dropped, but it’s standard in writing.

Example

Ne me raconte rien sur l’anime, je veux garder la surprise.

Don’t tell me anything about the anime, I want to keep the surprise.

savais pas

sah-VEH pah

know

Imperfect of 'savoir' plus 'pas'. Say 'sa-vè-pa'.

Example

Je savais pas, désolé.

I didn't know, sorry.

Words in this phrase

savais

[sah-VEH]

knew

Imperfect of 'savoir' (to know), first person.

Example

Je savais la réponse.

I knew the answer.

pas

[pah]

not (negation)

Second part of negation in “ne… pas.” Together: “Don’t worry.”

Example

Ne t’inquiète pas, je ne dis rien.

Don’t worry, I’m not saying anything.

Guides for French learners

Ordering in French: Cafés, Bakeries and Restaurants (with Menu Vocabulary)How to order in French at a café, a bakery and a restaurant: the phrases, the questions staff ask, and the menu and food vocabulary to understand the answers.Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Moved to Lyon for a culinary apprenticeship. The food and restaurant lessons were exactly what I needed — my French colleagues were genuinely impressed.”

Tom H., 38, Chef

“Studying in Paris and the academic French I learned in school was useless for daily life. This app filled the gap in weeks, not months.”

Nina W., 29, Graduate Student

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer