How to Express Uncertainty in Korean: I'm Not Sure and It Might Be
Learn elementary Korean phrases to express uncertainty, such as 'I'm not sure' and 'It might be...', and avoid making strong claims.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In Korean, expressing uncertainty politely is essential for everyday conversation. Whether you're unsure about an answer, guessing, or want to avoid sounding too forceful, phrases like 잘 모르겠어요 (I'm not sure) and -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같아요 (it seems like) are invaluable. This lesson teaches you elementary-level patterns to convey doubt and possibility without making strong claims. You'll learn set phrases, a versatile grammar pattern, and how to use them in dialogue. By the end, you'll be able to soften your statements and respond more naturally in Korean.
By the end, you can…
- say 'I'm not sure' and 'I don't know' in Korean.
- use the pattern -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같아요 to mean 'it seems like' or 'it might be'.
- ask for confirmation when I'm uncertain.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
잘 모르겠어요.
I'm not sure.
jal mo-reu-get-sseo-yo
Polite and common. Use when you don't know or are unsure. 잘 softens the statement.
모르겠어요.
I don't know.
mo-reu-get-sseo-yo
Direct but polite. Can sound a bit blunt; 잘 모르겠어요 is softer.
아마도...
Maybe... / Perhaps...
a-ma-do
Use before a guess. Often followed by a clause with -(으)ㄹ 것 같아요.
그런 것 같아요.
It seems like that. / I think so.
geu-reon geot gat-a-yo
Agreeing with uncertainty. Literally 'it seems to be that way'.
확실하지 않아요.
It's not certain.
hwak-sil-ha-ji an-a-yo
More formal. Use when you want to emphasize lack of certainty.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같아요 expresses uncertainty or a guess, meaning 'it seems like' or 'it might be'. Attach it to verb or adjective stems. For adjectives, use -(으)ㄴ 것 같아요: 비싼 것 같아요 (it seems expensive). For verbs, use -는 것 같아요: 비가 오는 것 같아요 (it seems like it's raining). For past tense, use -(으)ㄴ 것 같아요: 어제 온 것 같아요 (it seems it came yesterday). This pattern softens statements and is perfect for avoiding strong claims.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you're not fully sure, when you want to be polite, or when you don't want to commit to a strong opinion. For example, if someone asks if a restaurant is good, you can say 맛있는 것 같아요 (it seems delicious) instead of 맛있어요 (it's delicious), which sounds more definitive. Similarly, 잘 모르겠어요 is ideal when you don't know an answer. In formal situations, 확실하지 않아요 is appropriate. Avoid using these when you are certain; for certainty, use different expressions.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
이 식당 어때요?
How is this restaurant?i sik-dang eo-ttae-yo?잘 모르겠어요. 아마도 괜찮은 것 같아요.
I'm not sure. It might be okay.jal mo-reu-get-sseo-yo. a-ma-do gwaen-chan-eun geot gat-a-yo.여기 음식이 매워요?
Is the food here spicy?yeo-gi eum-sik-i mae-wo-yo?글쎄요. 별로 맵지 않은 것 같아요.
Well, it doesn't seem very spicy.geul-sse-yo. byeol-lo maep-ji an-eun geot gat-a-yo.A little context goes a long way
In Korean, showing uncertainty can be a way to be polite and humble. Directly saying 'I don't know' (모르겠어요) is acceptable, but adding 잘 (well) softens it. The pattern -것 같아요 is extremely common in daily conversation and helps maintain harmony by not asserting too strongly. Using these phrases appropriately can make you sound more natural and considerate.
One thing to watch for
Using -것 같아요 with the wrong tense or form, such as saying *비가 오 것 같아요* for 'it seems like it's raining'.
Try this instead: For present tense verbs, use -는 것 같아요: 비가 오는 것 같아요. For adjectives, use -(으)ㄴ 것 같아요: 비싼 것 같아요. For past tense, use -(으)ㄴ 것 같아요: 온 것 같아요.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I'm not sure' politely in Korean?
Show a sample answer
잘 모르겠어요.
This is the standard polite phrase. 모르겠어요 alone is also correct but less soft.
2Translate: 'It seems expensive.' (Use the pattern -것 같아요.)
Show a sample answer
비싼 것 같아요.
For adjectives, use -(으)ㄴ 것 같아요. 비싸다 becomes 비싼 것 같아요.
3What phrase means 'Maybe...' and is often used before a guess?
Show a sample answer
아마도
아마도 means 'maybe' or 'perhaps'. It can be used alone or with a full sentence.
Use 잘 모르겠어요 for 'I'm not sure' and -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같아요 to mean 'it seems like'. These phrases help you express uncertainty politely and avoid strong claims in Korean.
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