How to Say "Never Mind" in Japanese: 気にしないで and なんでもない
Learn two natural ways to say "never mind" in Japanese: 気にしないで for reassuring someone, and なんでもない for dismissing a small issue. Includes pronunciation, register, and a dialogue.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
If you want to say "never mind" in Japanese, the most direct equivalents are 気にしないで (ki ni shinaide) and なんでもない (nan demo nai). Use 気にしないで when you want to tell someone not to worry about something—it literally means "don't mind it." Use なんでもない when you want to say "it's nothing" or "never mind" after a small mistake or when you decide not to pursue a topic. This lesson teaches both expressions with accurate pronunciation, register notes, and a coherent dialogue so you can use them naturally in everyday conversation.
By the end, you can…
- say "never mind" in Japanese using 気にしないで and なんでもない.
- choose the right expression based on whether I am reassuring someone or dismissing a small issue.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
気にしないで
Never mind / Don't worry about it
ki ni shinaide
A casual negative request meaning do not worry about it. Use to reassure someone after a small mistake or apology. Add ください for a more polite request: 気にしないでください.
なんでもない
Never mind / It's nothing
nan demo nai
Use when you want to dismiss a small issue or when you decide not to talk about something. It can sound a bit abrupt, so a gentle tone helps.
気にしないでください
Please don't worry about it
ki ni shinaide kudasai
Polite version of 気にしないで. Use with strangers, superiors, or in formal situations.
大丈夫です
It's okay / No problem
daijoubu desu
A versatile phrase that can also mean "never mind" when someone offers help or asks if you need something. It is polite and safe in most contexts.
忘れてください
Please forget it / Never mind
wasurete kudasai
Literally "please forget it." Use when you want someone to disregard what you just said. It can sound a bit formal or serious.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core expression for "never mind" is 気にしないで, which comes from the verb 気にする (ki ni suru, "to mind" or "to worry about"). The negative request 気にしないで uses the ないで pattern with 気にする: "don't mind it." For example, if someone says 遅れてごめん (okurete gomen, "Sorry I'm late"), you can reply 気にしないで (ki ni shinaide, "Never mind"). Another expression is なんでもない, which literally means "it's nothing." Use it when you make a small mistake, like mispronouncing a word, and want to say "never mind" to yourself or others. Example: あ、なんでもない (a, nan demo nai, "Oh, never mind"). Both expressions are common and natural.
When to use it
Use 気にしないで when someone apologizes or feels responsible for a problem. It reassures them that the issue is not important. Use なんでもない when you want to dismiss a small matter or when you change your mind about saying something. For instance, if you start to say something but decide it's not worth mentioning, you can say なんでもない. In more formal situations, use 気にしないでください instead of 気にしないで. Avoid using なんでもない with superiors unless your tone is very soft, as it can sound blunt. A safe alternative in many contexts is 大丈夫です (daijoubu desu), which means "it's okay."
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
あ、ごめん。あなたのペンを落としちゃった。
Oh, sorry. I dropped your pen.a, gomen. anata no pen o otoshichatta.気にしないで。大丈夫だよ。
Never mind. It's okay.ki ni shinaide. daijoubu da yo.本当にごめんね。
I'm really sorry.hontou ni gomen ne.なんでもないよ。気にしないで。
It's nothing. Don't worry about it.nan demo nai yo. ki ni shinaide.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese, showing concern for others is important, so 気にしないで is often used to smooth over minor troubles. However, saying なんでもない can sometimes seem like you are hiding something if used too abruptly. A gentle tone and a smile help. In formal settings, 気にしないでください is safer. Also, 大丈夫です is a versatile phrase that can mean "no, thank you" when declining an offer, so context matters.
One thing to watch for
Using なんでもない as a direct translation of "never mind" in all situations, such as when someone apologizes.
Try this instead: なんでもない is better for dismissing a small issue or when you decide not to say something. If someone apologizes, 気にしないで is more natural. For example, if a friend says 遅れてごめん (Sorry I'm late), reply 気にしないで (Never mind), not なんでもない.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Your friend apologizes for forgetting your book. What do you say to mean "never mind"?
Show a sample answer
気にしないで。
気にしないで is the natural choice to reassure someone who apologizes. なんでもない could also work in a very casual context, but 気にしないで is more direct and appropriate here.
2You start to say something but decide it's not important. What phrase can you use?
Show a sample answer
なんでもない。
なんでもない means "it's nothing" and is used when you want to dismiss a small matter or change your mind about speaking. 気にしないで would not fit because you are not reassuring someone.
3How do you politely tell a stranger not to worry about a small mistake?
Show a sample answer
気にしないでください。
Adding ください makes the phrase polite and suitable for strangers or formal situations. 気にしないで is casual and might sound too informal with a stranger.
Use 気にしないで to reassure someone, and なんでもない to dismiss a small issue. For politeness, add ください to 気にしないで. Remember that 大丈夫です is a safe alternative in many situations.
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