Simplified Chinese - Lesson 143 of 156: Saying You're Unsure

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

不一定

Bù yídìng.

Not necessarily.

Meaning: Not necessarily.

When to use: Use when you want to soften a disagreement or say something isn’t sure to happen.

明天会下雨吗？不一定。

Míngtiān huì xià yǔ ma? Bù yídìng.

Will it rain tomorrow? Not necessarily.

他会来了？不一定，他可能有事。

Tā huì lái le? Bù yídìng, tā kěnéng yǒu shì.

Will he come? Not necessarily; he might have something on.

可能吧

Kěnéng ba.

Maybe.

Meaning: Maybe.

When to use: Casual short reply when you’re somewhat unsure but leaning toward yes.

你要来？可能吧，我还没决定。

Nǐ yào lái? Kěnéng ba, wǒ hái méi juédìng.

Are you coming? Maybe — I haven't decided yet.

今天我们吃外卖？可能吧，天气挺冷的。

Jīntiān wǒmen chī wàimài? Kěnéng ba, tiānqì tǐng lěng de.

Should we get takeout today? Maybe — it's quite cold.

我觉得___

Wǒ juéde ___.

I think ___.

Meaning: I think ___.

When to use: Start a simple opinion in everyday talks (add your idea after 我觉得).

Tip: Beginners sometimes stop at 我觉得 without finishing the thought — remember to add the rest of your opinion (e.g., 我觉得不错).

我觉得这个菜很好吃。

Wǒ juéde zhège cài hěn hǎochī.

I think this dish is delicious.

我觉得我们应该先看地图。

Wǒ juéde wǒmen yīnggāi xiān kàn dìtú.

I think we should look at the map first.

我不太确定

Wǒ bú tài quèdìng.

I’m not too sure.

Meaning: I’m not too sure.

When to use: A polite, soft way to say you don’t have enough information.

Tip: Don’t add a second negative (e.g., avoid 很不太确定); use 我不太确定 as the soft form.

对不起，我不太确定明天的时间。

Duìbuqǐ, wǒ bú tài quèdìng míngtiān de shíjiān.

Sorry, I'm not too sure about tomorrow's time.

他会来吗？我不太确定，他没回复。

Tā huì lái ma? Wǒ bú tài quèdìng, tā méi huífù.

Will he come? I'm not too sure; he didn't reply.

让我想想

Ràng wǒ xiǎngxiang.

Let me think.

Meaning: Let me think.

When to use: Say this when you need a moment to consider a question before answering.

你要什么口味？让我想想，我要辣的。

Nǐ yào shénme kǒuwèi? Ràng wǒ xiǎngxiǎng, wǒ yào là de.

Which flavor do you want? Let me think — I want spicy.

这个问题有点难，嗯，让我想想。

Zhège wèntí yǒudiǎn nán, ēn, ràng wǒ xiǎngxiǎng.

This question is a bit hard — hmm, let me think.

Simplified Chinese - Saying You're Unsure

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which phrase best translates to "Maybe" (casual)?

If you need a short moment to think, what do you say?

Which phrase means 'Not necessarily'?

Which phrase is used to start giving your opinion?

What do you think of the movie? — I think it's good; the actors acted well.

Will you go to the concert? — I'm not too sure; I haven't bought a ticket yet.

Boss: Can you give an answer now? You: Let me think, I need to consider it.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice