If I don't know what a trope is...

[DarknessofHeavenandDreams]

If I don't understand a certain trope, don't know it's name, or don't know if I'm using it, is that bad?

[Kilted]

It's exactly the same as if you're using a trope you know all about... do it well and its fine. Tropes are tropes because they're popular, not because you're supposed to avoid them and they've been codified to get people thinking about them, that's all.

[Aha]

I don't think you really need to know what a trope is to have used it. I've used several before I even knew what tropes were. I also think they are more something that the audience determines if it's been used or not, since many are a case of your mileage may vary.

If there was a specific one that you wanted to use, it might be a good idea to look it up to make sure it's the right one. But aside from that, I wouldn't worry about it.

[Sir Icehawk]

Nope. Just write your story as best you can and polish with lots of effort. Just don't scratch the gold under that rough draft dirt.