How to Say 'I Don't Mind' in Japanese: 構いません vs 気にしません
Learn to accept offers with 構いません and express personal indifference with 気にしません. Distinguish these from 気にしないで (don't worry). Includes polite request responses and a natural dialogue.
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In Japanese, the English phrase 'I don't mind' can be expressed in different ways depending on whether you are accepting a proposal or stating that something doesn't bother you. This lesson teaches two key expressions: 構いません (kamaimasen) for permission and acceptance, and 気にしません (ki ni shimasen) for personal reactions. You'll also learn 気にしないで (ki ni shinaide), which means 'don't worry' and is used to reassure someone. By the end, you'll be able to respond appropriately in polite conversation, whether you're agreeing to a request or downplaying a concern.
By the end, you can…
- accept a request or offer using 構いません.
- express that I don't mind something using 気にしません.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
構いません。
I don't mind. / That's fine.
kamaimasen
Polite acceptance or permission. Used when someone asks if it's okay to do something. Note: 構いません is a negative form, so it literally means 'it doesn't matter/pose a problem' — it is not a direct equivalent of 'I don't mind' in the sense of personal indifference.
気にしません。
I don't mind. / I don't care.
ki ni shimasen
Polite way to say something doesn't bother you. Often used to downplay a concern. Note: 気にしません is a negative form meaning 'I don't worry about it / it doesn't bother me'; it is not used to grant permission.
気にしないでください。
Please don't worry about it.
ki ni shinaide kudasai
Reassuring someone not to worry. More empathetic than 気にしません.
はい、構いませんよ。
Yes, that's fine.
hai, kamaimasen yo
Adding よ softens the response and adds friendliness. Note: よ here adds gentle assertion/assurance, not necessarily 'friendliness'.
全然大丈夫です。
It's totally fine.
zenzen daijōbu desu
Casual but polite alternative to 気にしません, meaning 'no problem at all'. Note: 全然 with a positive form (全然大丈夫です) is widely accepted in modern usage, though some prescriptive speakers still consider it nonstandard.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
構いません is a polite negative form of 構う (kamau, to mind). It literally means 'it doesn't matter' and is used to grant permission or accept a suggestion. For example, if a colleague asks 窓を開けてもいいですか (mado o akete mo ii desu ka, 'May I open the window?'), you can reply はい、構いません (hai, kamaimasen, 'Yes, that's fine'). It can also be used to accept an offer: コーヒーはいかがですか (kōhī wa ikaga desu ka, 'Would you like coffee?') — 構いません (kamaimasen) means 'I don't mind' (i.e., yes). In contrast, 気にしません is used for personal feelings: 彼の言葉は気にしません (kare no kotoba wa ki ni shimasen, 'I don't mind his words'). Note: 構いません is a negative form, so it literally means 'it doesn't pose a problem'; it is not a direct equivalent of 'I don't mind' in the sense of personal indifference.
When to use it
Use 構いません when responding to a request for permission or an offer. It is neutral-polite and safe in most situations. Use 気にしません when you want to say that something doesn't bother you, such as a small mistake or a comment. For example, if someone apologizes for being late, you can say 気にしませんよ (ki ni shimasen yo, 'I don't mind'). However, if someone is worried, 気にしないでください (ki ni shinaide kudasai, 'Please don't worry') is more comforting. Avoid using 構いません to mean 'I don't care about that' in a dismissive way; it can sound cold if used for personal feelings. Stick to 気にしません for that. Note: 気にしません is a negative form meaning 'I don't worry about it / it doesn't bother me'; it is not used to grant permission.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、ここに座ってもいいですか。
Excuse me, may I sit here?sumimasen, koko ni suwatte mo ii desu kaはい、構いませんよ。どうぞ。
Yes, that's fine. Please go ahead.hai, kamaimasen yo. dōzoありがとうございます。あ、さっきは遅れてすみませんでした。
Thank you. Oh, I'm sorry for being late earlier.arigatō gozaimasu. a, sakki wa okurete sumimasen deshita気にしないでください。全然大丈夫です。
Please don't worry about it. It's totally fine.ki ni shinaide kudasai. zenzen daijōbu desuA little context goes a long way
In Japanese, indirectness and politeness are valued. 構いません is a standard polite response, but in very formal situations, 差し支えありません (sashitsukae arimasen) may be used. 気にしません can sound a bit blunt if used alone; adding よ or 全然大丈夫です softens it. When someone apologizes, 気にしないでください is warmer than 気にしません. Also, 全然大丈夫です is common in casual polite speech, but some older speakers may consider 全然 with positive forms nonstandard, though it is widely accepted now. Note: 構いません is a negative form, so it literally means 'it doesn't pose a problem'; it is not a direct equivalent of 'I don't mind' in the sense of personal indifference.
One thing to watch for
Using 構いません to mean 'I don't care' about a personal matter, as in あなたの意見は構いません (anata no iken wa kamaimasen).
Try this instead: 構いません is for permission or acceptance, not personal indifference. For personal matters, use 気にしません: あなたの意見は気にしません (anata no iken wa ki ni shimasen, 'I don't mind your opinion'). Note: 気にしません is a negative form meaning 'I don't worry about it / it doesn't bother me'; it is not used to grant permission.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Your friend asks: このペンを使ってもいい？ (kono pen o tsukatte mo ii?, 'Can I use this pen?'). How do you politely agree using 構いません?
Show a sample answer
はい、構いませんよ。
構いません is the correct polite acceptance. Adding よ makes it friendlier. はい is optional but natural. Note: 構いません is a negative form, so it literally means 'it doesn't pose a problem'; it is not a direct equivalent of 'I don't mind' in the sense of personal indifference.
2Someone says: さっきは失礼しました (sakki wa shitsurei shimashita, 'I was rude earlier'). How do you say 'I don't mind' using 気にしません?
Show a sample answer
気にしませんよ。
気にしません expresses that it doesn't bother you. よ softens it. Alternatively, 気にしないでください is also correct if you want to reassure them. Note: 気にしません is a negative form meaning 'I don't worry about it / it doesn't bother me'; it is not used to grant permission.
3What is the difference between 構いません and 気にしないでください?
Show a sample answer
構いません means 'I don't mind' as acceptance or permission. 気にしないでください means 'please don't worry' and is used to reassure someone.
構いません responds to a request or offer, while 気にしないでください addresses someone's concern. Both are polite, but they serve different functions. Note: 構いません is a negative form, so it literally means 'it doesn't pose a problem'; it is not a direct equivalent of 'I don't mind' in the sense of personal indifference.
Use 構いません to accept or permit, and 気にしません to say something doesn't bother you. For reassurance, say 気にしないでください. Remember the polite register and context. Note: 構いません is a negative form, so it literally means 'it doesn't pose a problem'; it is not a direct equivalent of 'I don't mind' in the sense of personal indifference.
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