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ni idea

The short, casual way to say you genuinely do not know something.

Quick answer

ni idea

Natural: no idea / no clue
Literal: “not even an idea”

How it is used

—¿Dónde está Luis? —Ni idea.“Where is Luis?” “No idea.”
Ni idea de cocina.I know nothing about cooking.
No tengo ni idea.I have no idea at all.
Ni idea, lo siento.No clue, sorry.

Where it is said

It is used across the Spanish-speaking world; in Mexico <b>quién sabe</b> or the clipped <b>sepa</b> cover the same ground.

A mini dialogue

— ¿A qué hora abre el museo?— What time does the museum open?
— Ni idea, mira la web.— No idea, check the website.

Watch out

ni idea

Keep it for friends and relaxed situations; with a boss or an official the neutral no sé sounds better.

Check yourself

What does “Ni idea” mean?

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