馃嚠馃嚛 Indonesian phrases

How to Say "I don't know" in Indonesian

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Saya tidak tahu
"I don't know" in Indonesian 路 say it like sah-yah tee-dahk tah-oo

The most natural way to say "I don't know" in Indonesian is Saya tidak tahu. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

Gak tahu
Casual and commonly used in informal conversations
Saya tidak mengerti
Used when you don't understand something specifically

When to use it

You can use this phrase when someone asks you a question and you genuinely do not have the answer. It is polite and straightforward. It can be used in both formal and informal settings, depending on your tone.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "I don't know" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Indonesian

IndonesianEnglish
Maaf, saya tidak tahu jawabannya.Sorry, I don't know the answer.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this phrase with 'saya tidak paham', which means 'I don't understand'.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Saya tidak tahu, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Indonesian with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Is it rude to say 'I don't know'?

No, it's a polite way to express uncertainty.

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