🤷‍♂️❓

How to Say ‘I don't know yet.’ in French

Je ne sais pas encore.

zhuh nuh seh pah ahn-KOR

[zhuh nuh seh pah ahn-KOR]

💬 Usage Tip: In casual speech the ne is usually dropped, so you'll often hear Je sais pas encore. Many people run it together even further, to something like (shay pah).

Phrase Breakdown

Je ne sais pas

zhuh nuh seh pah

I don't know

Negation uses 'ne… pas' around the verb. In casual speech it often becomes 'j'sais pas' or even 'chais pas'.

Example

Je ne sais pas où il est.

I don't know where he is.

Words in this phrase

[zhuh]

Pronoun used by the speaker to identify themselves.

Example

Je suis content.

I am happy.

[nuh]

not

Used to make a negative.

Example

Je ne sais pas.

I do not know.

sais

[seh]

know

Form of 'savoir' with 'je'.

Example

Je sais cuisiner.

I know how to cook.

pas

[pah]

not

Used with 'ne' to form a negative.

Example

Je ne comprends pas.

I do not understand.

encore.

ahn-KOR

yet

After a negation, 'encore' means 'yet'. It starts with a nasal 'en', and the 'r' at the end is soft.

Example

Il n'est pas encore là.

He isn't here yet.

Words in this phrase

encore

[ahn-KOR]

yet / still

With 'pas', means 'not yet'.

Example

Il n'est pas encore arrivé.

He hasn't arrived yet.

Guides for French learners

The Most Common French Verbs: the 20 You'll Actually UseThe 20 most common French verbs, with the present-tense forms you need, real example sentences with native audio, and two shortcuts for past and future.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.

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