Common Mistakes: “Wakarimasen”? “Shirimasen”?

April 8th, 2013By Category: Uncategorized

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“Wakarimasen” or “Shirimasen”

“I don’t know”

In Japanese, there are two ways to say “I don’t know”:

  • a) wakarimasen
  • b) shirimasen

For the the following questions, which one should you use? (Both can be used in some cases.)

1)この人を知っていますか?Kono hito o shitte imasuka?
2)来週の会議、何時からか知っていますか?Raishuu no kaigi, nanji kara ka shitte imasuka?
3)今日、社長が来るかどうか、知っていますか?Kyou, shachou ga kuru ka douka shitteimasuka?
4)週末、何をしますか?Shuumatsu nani o shimasuka?
5)いつ、引っ越すんですか?Itsu hikkosu’n desuka?
6)明日のパーティー、行きますか?Ashita no party ikimasuka?

1) Do you know this person?
2) Do you know what time next week’s meeting starts?
3) Do you know whether or not the company president is coming today?
4) What are you doing this weekend?
5) When are you moving?
6) Are you going to the party tomorrow?

For Questions 1-3 both expressions can be used but for Questions 4 – 6 only a)wakarimasen is used. In other words, you cannot use b)shirimasen for expectations and plans under your own discretionary power. If you mistakenly use b)shirimasen for those cases, it sounds extremely rude, with the sense of “Who cares!” So please pay attention to its use.

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Author of this article

Iidabashi Japanese Language School

The Iidabashi Japanese Language School motto is "Be Unique, Have fun Globally!" We teach classes focused on conversation skills to foreigners living in Japan.

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