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How to Say ‘Oh, I didn't know that.’ in Italian

Ah, non lo sapevo.

ah nohn lo sah-PEH-voh

[ah nohn lo sah-PEH-voh]

💬 Usage Tip: lo stands for "it/that" and goes before the verb. Italian needs it where English often drops it: non lo so "I don't know".

Phrase Breakdown

Ah, non

ah nohn

Ah, (I did) not

A surprised 'Ah' followed by the negation 'non'. Say it in one quick breath.

Example

Ah, non è vero!

Ah, that's not true!

Words in this phrase

[ah]

ah / oh

Interjection expressing surprise or interest.

Example

Ah, non lo sapevo!

Oh, I didn't know!

non

[nohn]

not

Used to make a statement negative.

Example

Non voglio pagare tanto.

I don't want to pay so much.

lo sapevo.

lo sah-PEH-voh

know it

'Lo' (it) plus the imperfect of 'sapere'. Stress 'PE': sa-PE-vo.

Example

Lo sapevo già.

I already knew it.

Words in this phrase

[lo]

Used to refer to an object or thing mentioned earlier.

Example

Lo vedo ogni giorno.

I see it every day.

sapevo

[sah-PEH-voh]

I knew

Imperfect of sapere, first person.

Example

Non sapevo la strada.

I didn't know the way.

Guides for Italian learners

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