Forgiving in Mandarin: 没关系 and 我接受你的道歉
Learn to respond to an apology in Mandarin with phrases like 没关系 (it's okay) and 我接受你的道歉 (I accept your apology). This lesson focuses on the receiver's role in forgiveness, distinct from apologizing.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
When someone apologizes in Mandarin, you need to know how to respond appropriately. This lesson teaches you key phrases to forgive, such as 没关系 (méi guānxi, it's okay) and 我接受你的道歉 (wǒ jiēshòu nǐ de dàoqiàn, I accept your apology). You'll learn when to use each, how to pronounce them, and how forgiveness differs from apologizing. By the end, you'll be able to respond gracefully to apologies in everyday conversations.
By the end, you can…
- respond to an apology with 没关系 or 没事.
- explicitly accept an apology using 我接受你的道歉.
- use 别担心 to tell someone not to worry after they apologize.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
没关系
It's okay / It doesn't matter
méi guānxi
The most common response to an apology. Use it for minor issues or when you want to be polite.
没事
It's nothing / No problem
méi shì
Casual and friendly. Often used among friends or in informal situations.
别担心
Don't worry
bié dānxīn
Use when you want to reassure someone that the mistake is not serious.
我接受你的道歉
I accept your apology
wǒ jiēshòu nǐ de dàoqiàn
An explicit acknowledgment that you accept the apology. Choose it when that is what you mean; a formal setting alone does not require this wording.
算了
Forget it / Never mind
suàn le
Can be used to forgive, but tone matters. It can sound dismissive if said abruptly.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To forgive, you can use 没关系 (méi guānxi) or 没事 (méi shì) as direct responses. For example, if someone says 对不起 (duìbuqǐ, sorry), you can reply 没关系. To be more explicit, say 我接受你的道歉 (wǒ jiēshòu nǐ de dàoqiàn). You can also add 别担心 (bié dānxīn) to reassure: 别担心，没关系 (bié dānxīn, méi guānxi, don't worry, it's okay).
When to use it
Use 没关系 to reassure someone that the issue is okay, and 没事 for a brief no-problem response. 我接受你的道歉 explicitly accepts the apology. Choose according to what you want to communicate, not simply whether the setting is formal. 算了 can mean to let the matter go, but an abrupt delivery may sound dismissive.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
对不起，我迟到了。
Sorry, I'm late.duìbuqǐ, wǒ chídào le.没关系，别担心。
It's okay, don't worry.méi guānxi, bié dānxīn.我真的很抱歉。
I'm really sorry.wǒ zhēn de hěn bàoqiàn.我接受你的道歉。
I accept your apology.wǒ jiēshòu nǐ de dàoqiàn.A little context goes a long way
The receiver chooses whether to reassure, accept explicitly, or continue discussing the problem. In the example, 没关系，别担心 reassures the late speaker; 我接受你的道歉 then explicitly accepts the apology. Neither reply resolves every possible serious problem by itself.
One thing to watch for
Treating a formal setting as a rule that requires 我接受你的道歉 instead of 没关系.
Try this instead: 没关系 can still be a polite reassurance. 我接受你的道歉 makes acceptance explicit. Pick the response that matches your meaning; accepting an apology does not prevent a separate discussion of repairs or consequences.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Your friend apologizes for forgetting your book. What can you say?
Show a sample answer
没关系，别担心。
This is friendly and reassuring. You could also say 没事.
2A colleague apologizes and you want to say explicitly that you accept the apology. What can you say?
Show a sample answer
我接受你的道歉。
This explicitly accepts the apology. It is one possible response, not compulsory wording for every workplace apology.
3How do you say 'It's nothing' in Mandarin?
Show a sample answer
没事。
没事 is a casual way to say it's nothing. 没关系 is also correct but slightly more neutral.
Remember: 没关系 and 没事 are your go-to phrases for forgiving in daily life. Use 我接受你的道歉 for formal acceptance. Always match your tone to the situation.
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