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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: Italian needs lo "it" here, where English can drop it. Saying non sapevo alone sounds unfinished.

Phrase Breakdown

Ah, non lo

ah nohn lo

Oh, I didn't (it)

'Ah' shows surprise. 'Non lo' flows quickly into the verb that follows.

Example

Ah, non lo vedo.

Oh, I don't see it.

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

This word negates the verb that follows it.

Example

Non c'é nessuno.

There is no one.

[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

know.

This is the imperfect of 'sapere'. Stress 'PE': 'sa-PE-vo'.

Example

Io lo sapevo!

I knew it!

Words in this phrase

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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