Various ways to say “Never mind” in Chinese

The common expressions

没关系 (Méi guānxi) 

This is used to downplay a situation, offering reassurance that something is not an issue. Commonly used in response to apologies or when something is not important.

e.g.

A: 对不起，我忘了带书。 (Duìbùqǐ, wǒ wàngle dài shū.) Sorry, I forgot to bring the book.
B: 没关系，明天再带吧。 (Méi guānxi, míngtiān zài dài ba.) Never mind, bring it tomorrow.

A: 我可能来晚了。 (Wǒ kěnéng lái wǎnle.) I might be late.
B: 没关系，我们等你。 (Méi guānxi, wǒmen děng nǐ.) Never mind, we’ll wait for you.

A: 我不小心弄坏了你的笔。 (Wǒ bù xiǎoxīn nònghuàile nǐ de bǐ.) I accidentally broke your pen.
B: 没关系，我还有一支。 (Méi guānxi, wǒ hái yǒu yī zhī.) Never mind, I have another one.

没事 (Méishì)

This is similar to 没关系, but often used more casually. It can be used to dismiss worries or to indicate that an issue is minor.

e.g.

A: 对不起，我迟到了。 (Duìbùqǐ, wǒ chídàole.) Sorry, I’m late.
B: 没事，我们也刚到。 (Méishì, wǒmen yě gāng dào.) Never mind, we just arrived too.

A: 我不小心弄洒了水。 (Wǒ bù xiǎoxīn nòng sǎle shuǐ.) I accidentally spilled the water.
B: 没事，擦一下就好了。 (Méishì, cā yīxià jiù hǎole.) Never mind, just wipe it up.

A: 我好像说错话了。 (Wǒ hǎoxiàng shuō cuò huàle.) I think I said the wrong thing.
B: 没事，别担心。 (Méishì, bié dānxīn.) Never mind, don’t worry.

不要紧 (búyàojǐn)

This is used to tell someone that a situation is not important or that they shouldn’t worry about it. A slightly more formal way to say “no problem.”

e.g.

A: 我把你的笔弄丢了。 (Wǒ bǎ nǐ de bǐ nòng diūle.) I lost your pen.
B: 不要紧，我还有别的。 (Búyàojǐn, wǒ hái yǒu biéde.) Never mind; I have others.

A: 我可能来晚了。 (Wǒ kěnéng lái wǎnle.) I might be late.
B: 不要紧，我们等你。 (Búyàojǐn, wǒmen děng nǐ.) Never mind; we’ll wait for you.

The uses in sentences

没什么大不了的 (Méishénme dàbùliǎo de)

It`s no big deal. Used to downplay the significance of a problem or situation.

e.g.

A: 我把你的书弄脏了，真对不起。 (Wǒ bǎ nǐ de shū nòng zāngle, zhēn duìbùqǐ.) I got your book dirty; I’m really sorry.
B: 没什么大不了的，擦一擦就好了。 (Méishénme dàbùliǎo de, cā yī cā jiù hǎole.) It’s no big deal; just wipe it off.

A: 我考试没考好，感觉很糟糕。 (Wǒ kǎoshì méi kǎo hǎo, gǎnjué hěn zāogāo.) I didn’t do well on the exam; I feel terrible.
B: 没什么大不了的，下次努力就行。 (Méishénme dàbùliǎo de, xià cì nǔlì jiù xíng.) It’s no big deal; just try harder next time.

这事不怪你 (zhè shì bú guài nǐ.)

It`s not your fault. Used to reassure someone that they are not to blame for a situation.

e.g.

A: 对不起，我没完成任务。 (Duìbùqǐ, wǒ méi wánchéng rènwù.) Sorry, I didn’t complete the task.
B: 这事不怪你，时间太紧了。 (Zhè shì bú guài nǐ, shíjiān tài jǐnle.) It’s not your fault; the time was too tight.

A: 我不小心把文件删除了。 (Wǒ bù xiǎoxīn bǎ wénjiàn shānchúle.) I accidentally deleted the file.
B: 这事不怪你，系统也有问题。 (Zhè shì bú guài nǐ, xìtǒng yě yǒu wèntí.) It’s not your fault; the system also has issues.

别放在心上 (bié fàng zàixīn shàng)

Don`t worry about it. Used to tell someone not to dwell on a problem or mistake.

e.g.

A: 我昨天说的话可能有点过分。 (Wǒ zuótiān shuō de huà kěnéng yǒudiǎn guòfèn.) What I said yesterday might have been a bit too much.
B: 别放在心上，我知道你不是故意的。 (Bié fàng zàixīn shàng, wǒ zhīdào nǐ bú shì gùyì de.) Don’t worry about it; I know you didn’t mean it.

A: 我把你的杯子打碎了。 (Wǒ bǎ nǐ de bēizi dǎ suìle.) I broke your cup.
B: 别放在心上，只是个杯子而已。 (Bié fàng zàixīn shàng, zhǐ shì gè bēizi éryǐ.) Don’t worry about it; it’s just a cup.

这些都是小事 (zhèxiē dōu shì xiǎoshì.)

These were all just little problems. Downplays the significance of multiple issues.

e.g.

A: 我犯了很多错误，真抱歉。 (Wǒ fànle hěn duō cuòwù, zhēn bàoqiàn.) I made a lot of mistakes; I’m really sorry.
B: 这些都是小事，下次注意就行。 (Zhèxiē dōu shì xiǎoshì, xià cì zhùyì jiù xíng.) These were all just little problems; just be careful next time.

A: 我把你的计划打乱了。 (Wǒ bǎ nǐ de jìhuà dǎ luànle.) I disrupted your plans.
B: 这些都是小事，我们可以重新安排。 (Zhèxiē dōu shì xiǎoshì, wǒmen kěyǐ chóngxīn ānpái.) These were all just little problems; we can rearrange things.

我原谅你了 (wǒ yuánliàng nǐle.)

I forgive you. A direct way to express forgiveness.

e.g.

A: 我昨天对你发脾气了，真对不起。 (Wǒ zuótiān duì nǐ fā píqìle, zhēn duìbùqǐ.) I lost my temper with you yesterday; I’m really sorry.
B: 我原谅你了，别放在心上。 (Wǒ yuánliàng nǐle, bié fàng zàixīn shàng.) I forgive you; don’t worry about it.

A: 我忘了我们的约会，真抱歉。 (Wǒ wàngle wǒmen de yuēhuì, zhēn bàoqiàn.) I forgot about our appointment; I’m really sorry.
B: 我原谅你了，下次记得就行。 (Wǒ yuánliàng nǐle, xià cì jìde jiù xíng.) I forgive you; just remember next time.

这次就算了 (zhè cì jiùsuàn le.)

Let`s forget about it. Indicates that the speaker is willing to let something go for now.

e.g.

A: 我迟到了，真抱歉。 (Wǒ chídàole, zhēn bàoqiàn.) I’m late; I’m really sorry.
B: 这次就算了，下次别迟到。 (Zhè cì jiùsuàn le, xià cì bié chídào.) Let’s forget about it this time; don’t be late next time.

A: 我忘了交报告，真不好意思。 (Wǒ wàngle jiāo bàogào, zhēn bù hǎoyìsi.) I forgot to submit the report; I’m really sorry.
B: 这次就算了，明天记得交。 (Zhè cì jiùsuàn le, míngtiān jìde jiāo.) Let’s forget about it this time; remember to submit it tomorrow.

The extended phrases to express “never mind” in Chinese

算了 (Suànle)

This is used when you want to dismiss a topic or issue, indicating you no longer care or want to pursue it. It is often used after frustration or when something isn’t worth further attention.

e.g.

A: 你要我帮你修电脑吗？ (Nǐ yào wǒ bāng nǐ xiū diànnǎo ma?) Do you want me to help you fix your computer?
B: 算了，我自己试试吧。 (Suànle, wǒ zìjǐ shìshi ba.) Never mind, I’ll try it myself.

A: 我们还要继续等吗？ (Wǒmen hái yào jìxù děng ma?) Should we keep waiting?
B: 算了，他可能不来了。 (Suànle, tā kěnéng bù láile.) Never mind, he probably isn’t coming.

别管了 (Bié guǎnle) 

It implies that someone should stop concerning themselves with something. This can carry a slightly imperative tone.

e.g.

A: 这个文件需要修改吗？ (Zhège wénjiàn xūyào xiūgǎi ma?) Does this document need to be revised?
B: 别管了，已经没问题了。 (Bié guǎnle, yǐjīng méi wèntíle.) Never mind, it’s already fine.

A: 我要不要打电话问他？ (Wǒ yào bùyào dǎ diànhuà wèn tā?) Should I call and ask him?
B: 别管了，他可能很忙。 (Bié guǎnle, tā kěnéng hěn máng.) Never mind, he’s probably busy.

不用了 (Bù yòngle)

This is often used when someone offers help, and you’re indicating that you don’t need it anymore. It can also mean you no longer require assistance or don’t need something offered.

e.g.

A: 你要喝点水吗？ (Nǐ yào hē diǎn shuǐ ma?) Do you want some water?
B: 不用了，谢谢。 (Bù yòngle, xièxie.) Never mind, thanks.

A: 需要我解释一下吗？ (Xūyào wǒ jiěshì yīxià ma?) Do you need me to explain?
B: 不用了，我明白了。 (Bù yòngle, wǒ míngbáile.) Never mind, I understand.

无所谓 (Wúsuǒwèi)

This is used when you don’t mind something or it’s not important to you. It can imply indifference or a lack of preference.

e.g.

A: 你想吃什么？ (Nǐ xiǎng chī shénme?) What do you want to eat?
B: 无所谓，你决定吧。 (Wúsuǒwèi, nǐ juédìng ba.) Never mind, you decide.

A: 这个颜色你喜欢吗？ (Zhège yánsè nǐ xǐhuān ma?) Do you like this color?
B: 无所谓，都可以。 (Wúsuǒwèi, dōu kěyǐ.) Never mind, anything is fine.

别在意 (Bié zàiyì)

This is used to tell someone not to pay attention to something or not to worry about it. Slightly more reassuring compared to other expressions.

e.g.

A: 我刚才是不是说错话了？ (Wǒ gāngcái shì bù shì shuō cuò huàle?) Did I say something wrong just now?
B: 别在意，他没生气。 (Bié zàiyì, tā méi shēngqì.) Never mind, he’s not angry.

A: 我好像打扰到你了。 (Wǒ hǎoxiàng dǎrǎo dào nǐle.) I think I disturbed you.
B: 别在意，我正好休息一下。 (Bié zàiyì, wǒ zhènghǎo xiūxi yīxià.) Never mind, I was just taking a break.

不用管 (Bù yòng guǎn)

This is used to tell someone not to be concerned with something. Similar to 别管了, but may be slightly more neutral.

e.g.

A: 这个箱子要搬吗？ (Zhège xiāngzi yào bān ma?) Should we move this box?
B: 不用管，放在那里就行。 (Bù yòng guǎn, fàng zài nàlǐ jiù xíng.) Never mind, just leave it there.

A: 这个问题需要解决吗？ (Zhège wèntí xūyào jiějué ma?) Does this issue need to be resolved?
B: 不用管，已经不重要了。 (Bù yòng guǎn, yǐjīng bù zhòngyàole.) Never mind, it’s not important anymore.

没什么 ((Méishénme)

This is often used in response to an apology or when something minor happens. A very casual and common way to say “never mind” or to downplay an issue.

e.g.

A: 我把你的书弄皱了。 (Wǒ bǎ nǐ de shū nòng zhòule.) I wrinkled your book.
B: 没什么，书还能用。 (Méishénme, shū hái néng yòng.) Never mind; the book is still usable.

A: 我好像说错话了。 (Wǒ hǎoxiàng shuō cuò huàle.) I think I said something wrong.
B: 没什么，别担心。 (Méishénme, bié dānxīn.) Never mind; don’t worry.

不打紧 (bù dǎjǐn)

This is used to minimize the importance of a situation, similar to 没关系 or 不要紧. Slightly more formal and less commonly used in everyday speech.

e.g.

A: 我把你的文件弄乱了。 (Wǒ bǎ nǐ de wénjiàn nòng luànle.) I messed up your documents.
B: 不打紧，我可以重新整理。 (Bù dǎjǐn, wǒ kěyǐ chóngxīn zhěnglǐ.) Never mind; I can reorganize them.

A: 我忘了给你打电话。 (Wǒ wàngle gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà.) I forgot to call you.
B: 不打紧，事情不急。 (Bù dǎjǐn, shìqíng bù jí.) Never mind; it’s not urgent.

The post Various ways to say “Never mind” in Chinese appeared first on .