Translation guide
How to express that something is not known, not recognized, or not experienced in Japanese, depending on whether it's a person, place, thing, or experience.
Expressing that you don't know or recognize something, like a word, fact, or object.
The most common and direct way to say you don't know something. Casual.
I'm not familiar with that word.
Polite form of 知らない. Use in formal situations or with strangers.
I'm not familiar with that word. (polite)
Literally 'I haven't heard of it.' Used when you've never encountered something before.
I've never heard of that movie.
Literally 'I haven't seen it.' Used for visual unfamiliarity.
I've never seen this plant before.
Expressing that you don't know or aren't acquainted with someone.
Expressing unfamiliarity due to lack of experience or exposure.
Means 'not used to' or 'unfamiliar with' a situation, place, or activity.
I'm still not familiar with this town.
Noun/na-adjective meaning 'inexperienced' or 'unfamiliar'. Often used in formal contexts.
Means 'for the first time'. Implies unfamiliarity because it's a new experience.
Describing something as strange, unknown, or not familiar in a broader sense.
Noun meaning 'unknown' or 'unfamiliar'. Often used in written or formal contexts.
Step into an unfamiliar world.
Means 'not familiar' or 'not well-known'. Often used for places, customs, or things you haven't had much contact with.
I'm not familiar with this custom.
English 'unfamiliar' is often translated as 不慣れ (ふなれ) or 未知 (みち), but these can sound stiff or overly formal in casual speech. In most everyday situations, use 知らない or 慣れていない instead.
I'm struggling with the unfamiliar work.
ここは初めてです。
This is my first time here. (I'm unfamiliar with this place.)