何でもいい
nandemo ii
In Japanese, "anything is fine" is said as 何でもいい (nandemo ii).
This phrase is used to indicate that any of the available options is acceptable. While it literally means "anything is fine", using it too frequently during decision-making can sometimes sound indifferent or unhelpful to the listener.
Which one should you use?
The phrase 何でもいい implies a lack of preference. If you want to imply that any option is safe or acceptable, you may use 何でも大丈夫 instead.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The base form 何でもいい is casual and should be used with friends or family. For a polite version suitable for use with acquaintances or superiors, add です to the end to make it 何でもいいです. In formal settings like business meetings, どちらでも結構です is a polite and appropriate choice. When speaking to people of higher seniority or authority, you can use the formal expression 御都合がよろしければ、どちらでも構いません. In a common casual context, you might also hear なんでもいいよ.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai area, people tend to use どっちでも良いで instead of どっちでもいいよ in informal situations.
How do you pronounce it?
nandemo ii
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, saying 'anything is fine' can sometimes be a social trap called 'enryo'. People may say 何でもいい to be polite and avoid choosing, but they actually expect you to read their subtle cues to find what they truly desire.
- While 何でもいい implies a lack of preference, the phrase 何でもいい can be used as a dramatic declaration of desperation in Japanese cinema and manga, often signaling that a character has reached a breaking point.
- While 何でもいい focuses on the object, the more polite どちらでも結構です uses the word 結構 (kekkou), which functions as a 'double-edged' word. Depending on the tone, 結構 can mean 'excellent' or 'no thank you', potentially causing confusion if the intonation is unclear.
Examples in context
- 味の違いなんてわからないから何でもいいよ。I can't tell the difference in taste, so anything is fine.This sentence demonstrates how to use 何でもいい when you cannot perceive a difference in quality or taste.Tatoeba #10987770 by small_snow, translation #12033273 by Winter
- お客様のご希望に合わせますので、どちらでも結構です。We will accommodate your preferences, so anything is fine.
- 会議の日程に合わせますので、御都合がよろしければ、どちらでも構いません。We will adjust the schedule of the meeting to accommodate your availability, so anything is fine.
- お腹空いた？何が食べたい？なんでもいいよ。Are you hungry? What do you want to eat? Anything is fine.
- 飲み物は、何でもいいです。Nomimono wa, nandemo ii desu.As for drinks, anything is fine.
- 今日は何でもいいよ。Kyou wa nandemo ii yo.Anything is fine today.
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to eat for lunch.
- 美咲 Misakiお昼ご飯、何が食べたい？Ohirugohan, nani ga tabetai?What do you want to eat for lunch?
- 陽太 Yota美咲ちゃん、何でもいいよ。Misaki-chan, nandemo ii yo.Anything is fine, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misakiじゃあ、イタリアンにしようか。Jaa, itarian ni shiyou ka.Then, shall we go for Italian?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、賛成！Un, sansei!Yeah, I'm in!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
