Lindemann

MihalyTheGreat

Sat, 07/12/2019 - 01:28

It shouldnt be ignored that "es" is a direct object in german.

Besatnias

Sat, 01/02/2020 - 19:34

You want him to say "I don't know that"?

That would be bad English.

The construction "ich weiß es nicht" is common in German. (example: https://www.reddit.com/r/German/comments/5ek26e/ich_wei%C3%9F_nicht_or_i...)

In English, it's more common to say "I don't know" without a direct object. Only when there is a big need to point at something else would you say "that".

"So, you claim that he will succeed?"
"Well, I don't know that, but he's won medals before, he has the best shot"

In this case, however, I find that it's properly said, unless you find another problem in the translation?

Three Of Eight

Sun, 10/04/2022 - 13:20

After reading your Reddit link I think maybe "I don't know that" would be better? Since he goes on into a list of things that he doesn't know. I'm currently learning German so take my comment with a grain of salt, but maybe it would be better. In song form... Sometimes in English, for example, if you were exasperated maybe, you would reply to someone "I don't know that!". Or if you were just recounting a long list of things you know or don't know. I don't know that, Idk that, idk that, idk that, I do know that!

Again, beginner German level here so grain of salt.

1.	Platz Eins
2.	Knebel
3.	Till the End

Ich weiß es nicht → English translation→ English

I don't know

Ich weiß es nicht

Click to see the original lyrics (German)