Hello, I’m Kodak.
You may hear 分かりません (wakarimasen) when a Japanese speaker does not understand a question, does not know an answer, or cannot figure something out.
Which one is correct?
分かりません means that something is not clear to you.
Depending on the situation, English translates that as “I don’t understand,” “I don’t know,” or “I’m not sure.”
分かりません (wakarimasen) is the polite negative form of 分かる (wakaru), meaning “to understand,” “to know,” or “to become clear.”
Therefore, 分かりません can mean:
・I don’t understand.
・I don’t know.
・I’m not sure.
・I can’t tell.
In this article, you will learn:
② how to pronounce and write it
③ how to use it naturally while traveling in Japan
④ the difference between wakarimasen and wakaranai
⑤ the difference between wakarimasen and shirimasen
⑥ softer and more useful phrases than saying only wakarimasen
What Does Wakarimasen Mean in Japanese?
Hiragana: わかりません
Romaji: wakarimasen
Basic meaning: I don’t understand / I don’t know / I’m not sure
分かりません is used when information, a meaning, a method, a reason, or an answer is not clear to the speaker.
すみません、分かりません。
Sumimasen, wakarimasen.
Sorry, I don’t understand.
答えが分かりません。
Kotae ga wakarimasen.
I don’t know the answer.
どちらが正しいか分かりません。
Dochira ga tadashii ka wakarimasen.
I don’t know which one is correct.
The core idea of 分かる is that something becomes clear to you.
If a sentence is not clear, English says “I don’t understand.” If an answer is not clear, English often says “I don’t know.”
The Structure of 分かりません
分かりません can be divided into two main parts.
The verb stem of 分かる: to understand, know, or become clear
ません (masen)
The polite negative ending: do not / does not
to understand / to know / to become clear
↓
分かります
I understand / I know
↓
分かりません
I do not understand / I do not know
食べます ⇒ eat
食べません ⇒ do not eat
行きます ⇒ go
行きません ⇒ do not go
In the same way, 分かります becomes 分かりません.
Pronunciation and Writing of Wakarimasen
Hiragana: わかりません
Katakana: ワカリマセン
Romaji: wakarimasen
Mora: わ・か・り・ま・せ・ん
The normal written forms are 分かりません and わかりません. The katakana form ワカリマセン may appear for stylistic emphasis, but it is not the standard everyday spelling.
Avoid strongly stressing only one syllable as you might in English. The final ん is its own mora.
When Does Wakarimasen Mean “I Don’t Understand”?
Use 分かりません when you cannot understand language, instructions, explanations, rules, or another person’s meaning.
日本語がよく分かりません。
Nihongo ga yoku wakarimasen.
I don’t understand Japanese very well.
この説明が分かりません。
Kono setsumei ga wakarimasen.
I don’t understand this explanation.
何を言っているのか分かりません。
Nani o itte iru no ka wakarimasen.
I don’t understand what you are saying.
この機械の使い方が分かりません。
Kono kikai no tsukaikata ga wakarimasen.
I don’t know how to use this machine.
The Japanese idea is still that the method is not clear to the speaker.
When Does Wakarimasen Mean “I Don’t Know”?
分かりません often translates as “I don’t know” when you cannot determine an answer, result, reason, time, place, or future outcome.
何時に着くか分かりません。
Nanji ni tsuku ka wakarimasen.
I don’t know what time I will arrive.
明日、雨が降るか分かりません。
Ashita, ame ga furu ka wakarimasen.
I don’t know whether it will rain tomorrow.
どこで切符を買うのか分かりません。
Doko de kippu o kau no ka wakarimasen.
I don’t know where to buy a ticket.
どうして電車が止まっているのか分かりません。
Dōshite densha ga tomatte iru no ka wakarimasen.
I don’t know why the train has stopped.
まだ分かりません。
Mada wakarimasen.
I don’t know yet. / I’m not sure yet.
Wakarimasen vs Wakaranai: What Is the Difference?
分かりません (wakarimasen) and 分からない (wakaranai) have the same basic meaning. The main difference is politeness.
Polite
Best for strangers, staff, teachers, customers, and formal situations
分からない (wakaranai)
Casual
Best for friends, family, children, and private thoughts
Using 分からない with a stranger is not always grammatically wrong, but it can sound too casual or blunt.
すみません、分かりません。
Sorry, I don’t understand.
⇒ Polite and safe with a station employee.
ごめん、分からない。
Sorry, I don’t know.
⇒ Natural with a friend.
分かんない。
I dunno. / I don’t get it.
⇒ Very casual spoken contraction of 分からない.
Wakannai: A Very Casual Form
In casual speech, 分からない is often shortened to 分かんない (wakannai).
A：明日、何時に来る？
What time are you coming tomorrow?B：まだ分かんない。
I don’t know yet.
分かんない sounds friendly and natural among close friends, but too casual in service situations.
Wakarimasen vs Shirimasen: What Is the Difference?
This is one of the most important distinctions for Japanese learners.
Something is not clear to me.
⇒ I don’t understand.
⇒ I cannot determine the answer.
⇒ I’m not sure.
知りません (shirimasen)
I do not possess that information or familiarity.
⇒ I do not know that fact.
⇒ I have not heard of it.
⇒ I do not know that person or place.
Is the answer unclear, or have I never had the information?
Unclear or cannot determine ⇒ 分かりません
Do not possess the information ⇒ 知りません
Use 分かりません for Understanding, Answers, and Uncertainty
この漢字の意味が分かりません。
Kono kanji no imi ga wakarimasen.
I don’t understand the meaning of this kanji.
彼が来るかどうか分かりません。
Kare ga kuru ka dō ka wakarimasen.
I don’t know whether he will come.
駅までの行き方が分かりません。
Eki made no ikikata ga wakarimasen.
I don’t know how to get to the station.
Use 知りません for Facts, People, Places, and Prior Knowledge
そのニュースは知りません。
Sono nyūsu wa shirimasen.
I don’t know about that news. / I haven’t heard about it.
田中さんを知りません。
Tanaka-san o shirimasen.
I don’t know Mr./Ms. Tanaka.
その店は知りません。
Sono mise wa shirimasen.
I don’t know that shop. / I’m not familiar with that shop.
田中さんを知りません。
I do not know Tanaka personally.
⇒ I have no acquaintance or familiarity with that person.
どの人が田中さんか分かりません。
I don’t know which person is Tanaka.
⇒ I cannot identify the correct person.
答えを知りません。
I do not possess the answer.
答えが分かりません。
I cannot figure out the answer.
答えを知りません means you do not have the answer as stored knowledge.
答えが分かりません means you cannot understand, determine, or work out the answer.
Situations Where Only One Sounds Natural
Japanese Language Ability
I don’t understand Japanese.
△ 日本語を知りません。
This may suggest that you know nothing about the existence or nature of Japanese, rather than that you cannot understand the language.
Knowing a Person
I don’t know that person.
△ その人が分かりません。
This needs a special context, such as “I cannot identify which person you mean” or “I cannot understand that person.”
Predicting the Future
I don’t know what will happen tomorrow.
× 明日どうなるか知りません。
Usually unnatural because the future is not established knowledge that you already possess.
Can’t understand or can’t figure it out? ⇒ 分かりません
Never learned, heard, or met it? ⇒ 知りません
Does Shirimasen Sound Rude?
知りません is grammatically polite, but when said alone with a flat tone, it can sometimes sound cold or dismissive—similar to “I don’t know” or “How should I know?” in English.
Tone and context matter. You can make it softer by adding すみませんが, ちょっと, or a helpful follow-up.
I don’t know.
⇒ Correct, but may sound short depending on tone.
すみませんが、知りません。
I’m sorry, but I don’t know.
⇒ Softer.
すみません、私には分かりません。
I’m sorry, I’m not sure / I can’t tell.
⇒ Useful when you cannot answer or judge the matter.
Useful Wakarimasen Phrases for Travelers
1. I Don’t Understand
すみません、分かりません。
Sumimasen, wakarimasen.
Sorry, I don’t understand.
2. I Don’t Understand Japanese Well
日本語がよく分かりません。
Nihongo ga yoku wakarimasen.
I don’t understand Japanese very well.
3. Please Say It Again
もう一度お願いします。
Mō ichido onegaishimasu.
One more time, please.
4. Please Speak More Slowly
もう少しゆっくり話してください。
Mō sukoshi yukkuri hanashite kudasai.
Please speak a little more slowly.
5. I Don’t Know How to Use This
これの使い方が分かりません。
Kore no tsukaikata ga wakarimasen.
I don’t know how to use this.
6. I Don’t Know Where It Is
場所が分かりません。
Basho ga wakarimasen.
I don’t know where it is.
7. I Don’t Know Which Train to Take
どの電車に乗ればいいか分かりません。
Dono densha ni noreba ii ka wakarimasen.
I don’t know which train I should take.
分かりません。もう一度お願いします。
“I don’t understand. Please say it again.”
This gives the other person a clear way to help you.
Learn more useful Japanese travel phrases
Softer and More Natural Alternatives
Depending on the situation, the following phrases may sound softer than a bare 分かりません.
I don’t really understand.
ちょっと分かりません。
I’m not quite sure.
まだ分かりません。
I don’t know yet.
はっきり分かりません。
I don’t know clearly / I’m not certain.
すみません、聞き取れませんでした。
Sorry, I couldn’t catch what you said.
すみません、意味が分かりません。
Sorry, I don’t understand the meaning.
聞き取れませんでした means you could not physically catch the sounds—perhaps because the person spoke too fast or the room was noisy.
Common Grammar Patterns with 分かりません
Noun + が分かりません
意味が分かりません。
I don’t understand the meaning.
理由が分かりません。
I don’t know the reason.
Question Word + か分かりません
どこにあるか分かりません。
I don’t know where it is.
いつ始まるか分かりません。
I don’t know when it starts.
Plain Clause + かどうか分かりません
予約が必要かどうか分かりません。
I don’t know whether a reservation is necessary.
このカードが使えるかどうか分かりません。
I don’t know whether this card can be used.
It lets you say “I don’t know who, what, when, where, why, or how.”
Wakarimasen in Natural Conversation
Staff: この電車は新宿を通りません。
This train does not go through Shinjuku.
Traveler: すみません、よく分かりません。どの電車に乗ればいいですか？
Sorry, I don’t quite understand. Which train should I take?
Staff: お支払いは現金のみです。
Payment is cash only.
Traveler: すみません、「現金」の意味が分かりません。
Sorry, I don’t understand the meaning of “genkin.”
Friend: 明日、何時に帰る？
What time are you going home tomorrow?
You: まだ分からない。
I don’t know yet.
A: 佐藤さんを知っていますか？
Do you know Mr./Ms. Sato?
B: いいえ、知りません。
No, I don’t know them.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using 分からない with Everyone
分からない is natural with friends, but 分かりません is safer with strangers, employees, teachers, and older people.
Mistake 2: Using 知りません for Language Comprehension
I don’t understand Japanese.
△ 日本語を知りません。
Not the normal way to say you cannot understand Japanese.
Mistake 3: Saying Only 分かりません Without Explaining the Problem
The phrase is correct, but communication becomes easier when you add what you did not understand.
I don’t understand.
この言葉の意味が分かりません。
I don’t understand the meaning of this word.
すみません、もう一度お願いします。
Sorry, please say it again.
Mistake 4: Thinking 知りません Is Always Rude
知りません is a normal polite form. It may sound cold only when the tone or situation makes the reply feel dismissive.
Natural Example Sentences with Wakarimasen
すみません、質問の意味が分かりません。
Sumimasen, shitsumon no imi ga wakarimasen.
Sorry, I don’t understand the meaning of the question.
このボタンを押していいか分かりません。
Kono botan o oshite ii ka wakarimasen.
I don’t know whether I should press this button.
ホテルまでどうやって行くのか分かりません。
Hoteru made dō yatte iku no ka wakarimasen.
I don’t know how to get to the hotel.
彼が何を考えているのか分かりません。
Kare ga nani o kangaete iru no ka wakarimasen.
I don’t know what he is thinking.
この料理に何が入っているか分かりません。
Kono ryōri ni nani ga haitte iru ka wakarimasen.
I don’t know what is in this dish.
次の電車が何番線から出るか分かりません。
Tsugi no densha ga nanbansen kara deru ka wakarimasen.
I don’t know which platform the next train leaves from.
まだ予定が分かりません。
Mada yotei ga wakarimasen.
I don’t know my schedule yet.
説明を読んでも分かりませんでした。
Setsumei o yonde mo wakarimasen deshita.
I still did not understand even after reading the instructions.
何が問題なのか、私には分かりません。
Nani ga mondai na no ka, watashi ni wa wakarimasen.
I don’t know what the problem is.
すみません、聞こえましたが意味が分かりません。
Sumimasen, kikoemashita ga imi ga wakarimasen.
Sorry, I heard you, but I don’t understand the meaning.
FAQ About Wakarimasen
What does wakarimasen mean?
Wakarimasen (分かりません) means “I don’t understand,” “I don’t know,” “I’m not sure,” or “I can’t tell,” depending on context.
Is wakarimasen polite?
Yes. 分かりません is the polite negative form of 分かる. It is appropriate with strangers, staff, teachers, and in most travel situations.
What is the casual form of wakarimasen?
The casual form is 分からない (wakaranai). In very casual speech, it is often shortened to 分かんない (wakannai).
What is the difference between wakarimasen and wakaranai?
They have the same basic meaning. Wakarimasen is polite, while wakaranai is casual.
What is the difference between wakarimasen and shirimasen?
Wakarimasen means that something is not clear or that you cannot determine the answer. Shirimasen means that you do not possess the information or familiarity.
Can wakarimasen mean “I don’t know”?
Yes. It often means “I don’t know” when the answer, reason, location, method, or future result is unclear.
How do I say “I don’t understand Japanese”?
Say 日本語が分かりません (Nihongo ga wakarimasen). A softer version is 日本語がよく分かりません, meaning “I don’t understand Japanese very well.”
How do I ask someone to repeat after saying wakarimasen?
Say すみません、分かりません。もう一度お願いします。 This means “Sorry, I don’t understand. Please say it again.”
Is shirimasen rude?
It is grammatically polite, but a short standalone reply may sound cold depending on tone. Adding すみませんが can make it softer.
How do you write wakarimasen in Japanese?
It is normally written 分かりません or entirely in hiragana as わかりません.
Summary: Wakarimasen, Wakaranai, and Shirimasen
Polite.
“I don’t understand,” “I don’t know,” or “I’m not sure.”
Use it when something is unclear or you cannot determine an answer.
● 分からない (wakaranai)
Casual form of 分かりません.
Use it with friends and family.
● 分かんない (wakannai)
Very casual spoken contraction of 分からない.
● 知りません (shirimasen)
“I do not know” in the sense of not possessing information or familiarity.
Use it for facts, people, places, and things you have not learned or heard about.
分かりません。
I don’t understand.
もう一度お願いします。
Please say it again.
Then remember the core distinction:
unclear ⇒ 分かりません
not in my knowledge ⇒ 知りません