How should i know Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈhaʊ/ /ˈʃʊd/ /ˈaɪ/ /ˈnoʊ

HOW SHUUD EYE NOH

UK

hˈaʊ/ /ʃˈʊd/ /ˈaɪ/ /nˈəʊ

HOW SHUUD EYE NOH

Definition

Used to express that you do not know the answer to a question and have no way of knowing it. Often said when someone expects you to know something you reasonably couldn't.

Usage & Nuances

Informal and sometimes defensive; often used to push back when someone seems to expect too much. Can sound annoyed or playful, depending on tone. Common alternative: 'How am I supposed to know?' Not appropriate in formal situations.

• Spanish: ¿yo qué sé? - ¿cómo voy a saber?
• Portuguese (BR): eu lá sei? - como é que eu vou saber?
• Portuguese (PT): eu é que sei? - como é que eu hei de saber?
• Chinese (Simplified): 我怎么知道？ - 我哪知道？
• Chinese (Traditional): 我怎麼知道？ - 我哪知道？
• Hindi: मुझे क्या पता?
• Arabic: كيف لي أن أعرف؟ - من أين لي أن أعرف؟
• Bengali: আমি কীভাবে জানব - আমি কী করে জানব
• Russian: откуда мне знать - с чего бы мне знать
• Japanese: 知らないよ - どうして私が知ってるの
• Vietnamese: làm sao tôi biết được - sao tôi biết được
• Korean: 내가 어떻게 알아 - 내가 어떻게 알겠어
• Turkish: Nereden bileyim - Ben nasıl bileyim
• Urdu: مجھے کیا معلوم - میں کیسے جان سکتا ہوں
• Indonesian: mana saya tahu - bagaimana saya tahu

Example Sentences

"Where is my phone?" "How should I know?"

basic

How should I know what time the meeting is?

basic

"Who broke the window?" "How should I know?"

basic

If you lost your keys again, how should I know where you put them?

natural

Don't ask me about her plans—how should I know?

natural

You always expect me to know everything. Well, how should I know this time?

natural