12 Phrases to Say “I Didn’t Know That”
It’s common in conversation to learn new information, whether it’s a surprising fact, a piece of news, or a new perspective. Saying “I didn’t know that” works, but using varied phrases shows genuine interest, surprise, and appreciation for the new knowledge. Mastering these 12 phrases to say “I didn’t know that” will help you sound engaged, humble, and articulate when learning something new.
We’ve organized these phrases into three key areas: Expressing Surprise, Acknowledging New Facts, and Showing Appreciation for the Information.
Expressing Surprise and Awe 😮
Use these phrases when the information shared is genuinely unexpected or amazing to you.
1. Really? I had no idea! This is a high-energy, emphatic way to show complete surprise. It works well in casual or semi-formal settings.
- Meaning: You are genuinely surprised and confirm you were completely unaware.
- Example: “The train ticket is half-price if you book before 7 AM.” — “Really? I had no idea! Thanks for telling me.”
2. That’s news to me. A common, friendly, and slightly informal phrase used to confirm that the information is completely new to you.
- Meaning: The information is brand new to you.
- Example: “The company is planning to relocate the entire department.” — “That’s news to me. When did they announce that?”
3. Wow, that’s fascinating! Fascinating is a strong adjective showing that the new fact is intellectually stimulating and interesting.
- Meaning: You find the information extremely interesting and intellectually stimulating.
- Example: “Bees can recognize human faces.” — “Wow, that’s fascinating! I never knew that.”
4. I’m surprised to hear that. A more formal and measured response to surprising information, often used in professional or unexpected business contexts.
- Meaning: You acknowledge the surprise in a formal manner.
- Example: “We won the contract after all.” — “I’m surprised to hear that. I thought our bid was too high.”
5. You learn something new every day. A classic, slightly philosophical phrase used when the new knowledge is an unexpected, simple fact that improves your general knowledge.
- Meaning: Acknowledging that you are receiving a useful, simple fact.
- Example: “The Eiffel Tower actually gets taller in the summer due to heat.” — “You learn something new every day!“
Acknowledging the New Fact 🤔
These phrases are direct, clear, and focused on acknowledging the specific piece of information.
6. I didn’t realize that. A polite, direct, and mild confirmation that the fact was previously unknown to you. It works well when the fact is obvious in hindsight.
- Meaning: You understand the new fact now but were unaware before.
- Example: “The meeting is in Room 301, not 302.” — “I didn’t realize that. I was walking to the wrong room.”
7. I hadn’t considered that. This is used when the information is not a fact but a new perspective or consequence you hadn’t thought about.
- Meaning: You acknowledge a valid perspective or consequence that was missing from your thinking.
- Example: “If we hire too many people, we lose our small-team culture.” — “I hadn’t considered that. That’s a serious risk.”
8. That clarifies things. This is a positive phrase used when the new information resolves a confusion or misunderstanding you had previously.
- Meaning: The new information resolves a previous doubt or confusion.
- Example: “The system only updates at midnight.” — “That clarifies things. I was wondering why the data was old.”
9. Good to know. A simple, quick, and practical way to acknowledge that the information is useful for future use. It is a very common response in casual conversation.
- Meaning: The information is useful and will be stored for future reference.
- Example: “The office closes early on Fridays.” — “Good to know. I’ll plan my schedule accordingly.”
Showing Appreciation for the Information 🙏
Use these phrases to express gratitude to the person who shared the information, emphasizing its value.
10. Thanks for the heads-up. A heads-up is a warning or alert about a future event. This phrase is used when the new information is helpful advice or a warning.
- Meaning: Thanking the person for providing a useful warning or advance notice.
- Example: “Thanks for the heads-up that the elevator is broken. I’ll take the stairs.”
11. That’s a great tip. A tip is a piece of helpful advice or a secret trick. Use this when the information is actionable and helpful.
- Meaning: You find the information to be useful, practical advice.
- Example: “You can save your file by hitting Ctrl+S.” — “That’s a great tip! I was doing it manually.”
12. I appreciate you sharing that. A polite and slightly formal way to show gratitude for the information, especially when it resolves a difficult situation or problem.
- Meaning: A polite, formal expression of thanks for the shared information.
- Example: “I found the error in the code.” — “I appreciate you sharing that. That saves us a lot of time.”
Quick Tips for Receiving New Information
- Be Enthusiastic: When using these 12 phrases to say “I didn’t know that,” let your tone of voice convey genuine interest, especially with phrases like “Wow, that’s fascinating!“
- Follow Up: After you acknowledge the new fact, ask a simple follow-up question (e.g., “Why is that?” or “How did you find that out?”) to show even deeper engagement.
- Use “Good to Know” Wisely: The phrase “Good to know” is excellent for practical facts, but it can sound dismissive if used for a profound or serious piece of news.
Which phrase best indicates that you are now able to solve a problem because of the new information?
