it doesn't matter; that's all right; never mind
没关系
it doesn't matter; that's all right; never mind
Literally 'no connection/consequence'. The universal polite reply to smooth over an apology: 'No problem, it doesn't matter, don't sweat it.'
Common Usage & Traps
- 没关系 — It's okay / never mind / no problem
- 没关系，谢谢 — It's okay, thanks (waving off an offer or small trouble)
- 没关系，我很好 — It's okay, I'm fine (reassuring someone)
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很没关系没关系很 can boost adjectives like 忙 or 好. 没关系 is a complete reply, so it does not take 很.
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谢谢！——没关系。谢谢！——不客气。没关系 answers an apology or a small problem. For a plain thank-you, 不客气 is the default.
Someone says 谢谢, can you reply 没关系?
No. 谢谢 gets 不客气; 没关系 answers 对不起 or a small problem.
没关系 and 不客气 both appear in beginner dialogues, so they blur together. 没关系 means 'it's okay, no harm done' after an apology or minor trouble. 不客气 is the standard reply to 谢谢. If you use 没关系 after plain thanks, it can sound like you are forgiving them for something.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Reply to 谢谢 | 不客气 | 没关系 |
| Reply to 对不起 | 没关系 | 不客气 |
| Core meaning | No harm done | You're welcome |
Can you say 很没关系 to mean 'it really doesn't matter'?
No. 没关系 is a fixed phrase, so 很 cannot sit in front of it.
很 usually boosts single-word adjectives like 很忙 or 很好. 没关系 is already a complete answer meaning 'it doesn't matter.' If you want extra warmth, say 没关系 with a calm tone or repeat it. '很没关系' sounds like forcing an adjective slot where none exists.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| What 很 can boost | 很忙，很好 | 很没关系 |
| What 没关系 can take | 没关系 | 很没关系 |
| Tone | Calm fixed reply | Forced adjective slot |
Can 没关系 mean 'it's okay' even when nobody said 对不起?
Yes. 没关系 often means 'no problem, don't worry' outside apology scripts.
Textbooks drill 对不起 -> 没关系, so learners file it under apology-only. Real life uses it to wave off a small inconvenience, a declined offer, or a change of plans. The story sentence shows this standalone 'it's okay' use. Nobody needs to say 对不起 first.
“我说：“没关系！”” (I said, "It's okay!")
“我说：“没关系！”” (I said, "It's okay!")
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| After 对不起 | 没关系 | 不客气 |
| After someone worries | 没关系，我很好 | 对不起 |
| Meaning range | It's okay / no problem | Apology only |
Appears in Stories 2 stories
Real context sentences across different daily scenarios and graded readings.
This is a short dialogue about a shopping trip. A woman buys many things, including food, drinks, furniture, and pet food, while her boyfriend reminds her not to overspend.
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我说：“ 没关系 ！
Before you start learning Chinese, master the most important phrases: greetings. This short dialogue shows you how to say hello and goodbye, and how to respond politely.
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对不起对 没关系 ！
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