How to Say "No Problem" in Mandarin Chinese: Responding to Apologies
Learn to accept an apology gracefully in Mandarin with 没关系, 没事, 不要紧, and 好的，没问题. Includes pinyin, tone marks, and a natural dialogue.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When someone says 对不起 (duìbuqǐ, sorry) or 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi, excuse me/sorry), the most common reply is 没关系 (méi guānxi) or 没事 (méi shì). These mean "no problem" or "it's okay." This lesson teaches you to respond to an apology, not to make one. You will learn several interchangeable phrases, when to use each, and how to combine them with 好的 (hǎo de, okay) for a friendly "ok, no problem."
By the end, you can…
- accept an apology in Mandarin using 没关系, 没事, or 不要紧.
- say "ok, no problem" with 好的，没问题 and use it appropriately.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
没关系
No problem / It's okay
méi guānxi
The standard, neutral reply to 对不起 or 不好意思. Suitable in most situations, formal or casual.
没事
No worries / It's nothing
méi shì
Very common and slightly more casual than 没关系. Often used between friends or in everyday situations.
不要紧
It doesn't matter / No problem
bú yàojǐn
Emphasizes that the issue is not serious. Can sound a bit more formal or earnest. Note: 不 is second tone before a fourth-tone syllable (bù + yào → bú yàojǐn).
好的，没问题
Okay, no problem
hǎo de, méi wèntí
Used when agreeing to a request or confirming that something is fine. It can also accept an apology, but it is more common as a positive response to a request.
没事儿
No worries (colloquial)
méi shìr
Colloquial northern variant of 没事, with 儿化 (r-colored vowel). Use in informal speech, especially in Beijing and surrounding areas.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern for accepting an apology is 没关系 or 没事. Both can stand alone. You can also combine them: 没关系，没事 (méi guānxi, méi shì) for emphasis, though one is usually enough. To be extra polite, add 真的 (zhēn de, really): 真的没关系 (zhēn de méi guānxi, it's really okay). If someone apologizes for a small mistake, 没事 is often enough. For a slightly more serious matter, 不要紧 works well. Example: A: 对不起，我迟到了。 (Duìbuqǐ, wǒ chídào le. Sorry I'm late.) B: 没关系，我也刚到。 (Méi guānxi, wǒ yě gāng dào. No problem, I just arrived too.)
When to use it
Use 没关系 in most situations, from casual to mildly formal. 没事 is common in daily conversation and among friends. 不要紧 is slightly more formal and often used when someone worries about causing trouble. 好的，没问题 is best when you are agreeing to a request or confirming plans, but it can also accept an apology if you want to sound positive and cooperative. For example, if a colleague says 对不起，我忘了带文件。 (Duìbuqǐ, wǒ wàng le dài wénjiàn. Sorry, I forgot to bring the document.), you can reply 没事，明天带也行。 (Méi shì, míngtiān dài yě xíng. No problem, bringing it tomorrow is fine too.) Avoid using 没问题 alone as a reply to an apology in very formal contexts; 没关系 is safer there.
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.没关系，我也刚到。
No problem, I just arrived too.Méi guānxi, wǒ yě gāng dào.不好意思，让你久等了。
Sorry to keep you waiting.Bù hǎoyìsi, ràng nǐ jiǔ děng le.没事，不用客气。
No worries, there's no need to be so polite.Méi shì, bú yòng kèqi.A little context goes a long way
In Mandarin, 没关系 and 没事 are neutral and widely used. 没事儿 is colloquial and regional; it is fine in informal northern speech but may sound out of place in very formal writing. When in doubt, 没关系 is the safest choice. Responding with a smile and a slight nod also helps convey sincerity.
One thing to watch for
Using 没问题 as the default reply to 对不起.
Try this instead: 没问题 (méi wèntí) usually means "no problem" as in "sure, I can do it" or "it's fine" when agreeing to a request. For accepting an apology, 没关系 or 没事 is more natural. For example, if someone says 对不起，我弄错了。 (Duìbuqǐ, wǒ nòng cuò le. Sorry, I made a mistake.), reply 没关系，改过来就好。 (Méi guānxi, gǎi guòlái jiù hǎo. No problem, just correct it.)
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Your friend says 对不起，我忘了。 (Duìbuqǐ, wǒ wàng le. Sorry, I forgot.) What is a natural reply?
Show a sample answer
没关系。
没关系 is the standard neutral reply. 没事 is also correct and slightly more casual.
2A colleague asks 你能帮我吗？ (Nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma? Can you help me?) You want to say "Okay, no problem." What do you say?
Show a sample answer
好的，没问题。
This phrase agrees to a request. 没问题 alone also works, but 好的，没问题 sounds more cooperative.
3Someone apologizes for a minor mistake. You want to say "It doesn't matter." Which phrase fits?
Show a sample answer
不要紧。
不要紧 emphasizes that the matter is not serious. 没关系 and 没事 are also acceptable in this context.
For accepting an apology, start with 没关系 or 没事. Use 不要紧 for a slightly more formal tone, and 好的，没问题 when agreeing to a request. Keep 没事儿 for casual northern chat.
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