ても知らない【てもしらない】

The expression ても知らない (literally "even if… I won't know/care") is used as a warning or threat, telling someone that if they continue doing something (or fail to do something), the speaker will not take responsibility for the consequences. It conveys the nuance of "don't blame me if…" or "I won't be held responsible if…".

This pattern is used when the speaker has already given advice or a warning, and the listener is ignoring it. The speaker then escalates by saying, "Fine, but whatever happens after that is on you."

Basic usage

The verb in the て form + も sets up a conditional ("even if you do X"), and しらない知らない / しらない知らないよ / しりません知りませんよ expresses the speaker's refusal to care about the outcome.

Nuance

The expression carries a strong sense of exasperation or frustration. The speaker has typically already tried to persuade or advise the listener, and ても知らない signals that they are giving up on convincing them. It is most common in casual speech among people who are close – parents to children, friends, or partners. Using it with superiors or strangers would be inappropriate.

Common patterns

Often preceded by a conditional clause with なら, たら, or のに to set up the situation:

The polite form しりません知りません / しりません知りませんよ can also be used, though the expression remains relatively blunt regardless:

Related expressions

• 〜～てもかまわない構わない – "I don't mind even if…" (permission/indifference, not a warning)
• 〜～たらたいへん大変だ – "It would be terrible if…" (a warning, but the speaker still cares)