馃嚥馃嚲 Malay phrases

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

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

The most natural way to say "I don't know" in Malay 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

aku tidak tahu
more casual, often used among friends
saya tak tahu
informal version, commonly used in conversation

When to use it

You can use this phrase when you genuinely do not have the answer to a question. It is appropriate in both formal and informal settings. It shows honesty and humility when you are unsure about something.

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 Malay

MalayEnglish
Saya tidak tahu jawapannya.I don't know the answer.
Maaf, saya tidak tahu di mana dia.Sorry, I don't know where he is.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 'tahu' with 'tahu-tahu', which is incorrect in this context.

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 Malay with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use this phrase in a formal setting?

Yes, it is appropriate to use in both formal and informal contexts.

Learn Malay by speaking it

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