مش متأكد

Using it is incredibly simple. If someone asks you a question, you can say مش متأكد as a standalone answer. If you want to be more specific, add the word إذا (if) or من (about) after it. For example, مش متأكد من الوقت means 'I am not sure about the time.' Remember to change the ending if you are a woman. A female speaker would say مش متأكدة (mish met'akkdeh). Adding a small 'eh' sound at the end makes it feminine.

Use it when a friend asks if you're coming to their party. Use it at a restaurant when the menu is too long. Use it in a meeting when you need to check your notes. It’s perfect for texting when you’re being non-committal. It works well when someone asks for directions you don't know. It’s a polite way to say 'I don't know' without sounding totally clueless.

Don't use it if your partner asks if you remember your anniversary. That’s a trap! Avoid it in high-stakes situations where confidence is key. If you're a pilot, don't tell the passengers مش متأكد about the landing. It can sound a bit evasive if used too much. If you definitely know the answer, just say it. Being overly 'not sure' can make you seem unreliable.

In many Arabic-speaking cultures, people prefer to be helpful. Sometimes, they might give directions even if they aren't 100% sure. Using مش متأكد is a way to be honest while still being polite. It is often paired with بس بظن (but I think). This balances your doubt with a helpful guess. It’s a very common phrase in Levantine and Egyptian dialects.

In some regions, like Syria or Lebanon, you might hear مو متأكد (moo met'akked). The مش changes to مو, but the meaning stays the same. Another variation is مش أكيد (mish akeed), which means 'not certain.' If you want to sound more formal, you might say لست متأكداً (lastu muta'akkidan). But for daily life, stick to the casual مش version. It’s friendlier and more natural.