Responding to Apologies in Mandarin Chinese: Say 'It's Okay' Naturally
Learn beginner Mandarin phrases to accept an apology gracefully, including 没关系, 没事, and 不要紧, with pinyin, tone marks, and a short dialogue.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When someone says 对不起 (duìbuqǐ, sorry) to you in Mandarin, you need a natural reply. This lesson teaches the receiver's side: how to accept an apology politely and put the other person at ease. You will learn five common responses, when each one fits, and how to avoid a common learner mistake. The focus is on short, useful phrases that work in daily conversation, not on making your own apology.
By the end, you can…
- recognize and say common Mandarin phrases that accept an apology.
- choose a polite response for a small mistake, such as being late or bumping into someone.
- respond appropriately to 对不起 in a short spoken exchange.
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 neutral reply to 对不起. It works in most everyday situations and is safe for beginners.
没事。
No problem. / It's nothing.
méi shì
Very common and casual. Use it with friends, classmates, or people you know well. It sounds friendly and relaxed.
没事儿。
No worries. / It's nothing.
méi shìr
The erhua version of 没事, common in northern China, especially Beijing. It is casual and friendly.
不要紧。
It's not serious. / It's all right.
bú yàojǐn
Slightly more formal than 没事. It often means the problem is not serious, so the other person need not worry.
别放在心上。
Don't worry about it. / Don't take it to heart.
bié fàng zài xīnshang
A warm, reassuring reply. Use it when you want to comfort someone who feels very sorry.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A very useful pattern is 没关系 (méi guānxi). It literally means 'it has no relationship,' but in real use it means 'it's okay' or 'it doesn't matter.' For example: A: 对不起，我来晚了。 B: 没关系。 (A: Duìbuqǐ, wǒ lái wǎn le. B: Méi guānxi.) Another common pattern is 没事 (méi shì), which is shorter and more casual. You can also add 真的 (zhēn de, really) for warmth: 真的没事。 (Zhēn de méi shì.) These replies do not change for formal or informal situations, so beginners can use them with confidence.
When to use it
Use 没关系 in most situations, especially with strangers, teachers, or people older than you. Use 没事 or 没事儿 with friends, classmates, and people your own age. Use 不要紧 when the mistake is small and you want to say it is not serious: 不要紧，下次小心一点。 (Bú yàojǐn, xià cì xiǎoxīn yìdiǎn. It's all right, be a little more careful next time.) Use 别放在心上 when someone feels very bad and you want to comfort them. For a very small bump in a crowd, a short 没事 is enough.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
对不起，我来晚了。
Sorry, I'm late.Duìbuqǐ, wǒ lái wǎn le.没事，我也刚到。
No problem, I just got here too.Méi shì, wǒ yě gāng dào.真的吗？太不好意思了。
Really? I feel so bad.Zhēn de ma? Tài bù hǎoyìsi le.没关系，别放在心上。
It's okay, don't worry about it.Méi guānxi, bié fàng zài xīnshang.A little context goes a long way
In Mandarin, a short reply is usually enough. 没关系 and 没事 are common in daily life and sound natural. 不要紧 can sound slightly more formal or serious, so it fits when you want to say the problem is small. 没事儿 with erhua is common in northern China, but learners in southern China may hear 没事 more often. Matching the other person's tone is more important than choosing a perfect phrase.
One thing to watch for
Replying to 对不起 with 谢谢 (xièxie, thank you).
Try this instead: 谢谢 means 'thank you,' not 'it's okay.' When someone apologizes, use 没关系 (méi guānxi) or 没事 (méi shì). For example: A: 对不起。 B: 没关系。 (A: Duìbuqǐ. B: Méi guānxi.)
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Your friend says 对不起，我迟到了。 Which short, casual reply fits best?
Show a sample answer
没事。
没事 is short, casual, and very common with friends. 没关系 is also correct and slightly more neutral, but 没事 fits a friendly tone well.
2A stranger bumps into you and says 对不起。 Which reply is safe and polite?
Show a sample answer
没关系。
没关系 is the safest neutral reply for strangers. 没事 is also acceptable, but 没关系 sounds a little more polite in this situation.
3Someone feels very sorry and says 真的对不起。 Which warmer reply can you use?
Show a sample answer
别放在心上。
别放在心上 means 'don't worry about it' and comforts someone who feels very bad. 没关系 is also correct, but it is less warm.
When you hear 对不起, reply with 没关系 or 没事. Choose 没事 for friends, 没关系 for most situations, and 别放在心上 to comfort someone who feels very sorry.
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