What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is based on the verb importar, which literally means "to matter" or "to be important". Consequently, the phrase literally asks "does it matter to you?"
Which one should you use?
While ¿te importa? is used to check if something bothers someone, other forms change based on the level of politeness or the number of people being addressed.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, when addressing a group of people informally, use the form ¿os importa?
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the subject of the phrase, use these forms: ¿le importa? for a formal "do you mind?", ¿les importa? when addressing a group of people and ¿os importa? for an informal group in Spain. Additionally, ¿Puedo molestarle? can be used as a formal way to ask "May I bother you?" when checking if someone minds being interrupted.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly answer "Yes" to mean "Yes, I don't mind". In Spanish, you must say "No" (e.g., No, no me importa) to indicate that the action does not bother you.
Did you know?
- The word importar shares a root with the English word 'import', as both come from the Latin 'importare', meaning to carry something in.
- In some contexts, saying ¡Me importa un bledo! is a colorful way to say you do not mind at all, though it actually means you do not care in the slightest.
- Because importar translates to 'to be important', if you say No me importa, you might actually sound indifferent or even rude, as if you are saying 'I don't care' rather than 'It doesn't bother me'.
Examples in context
- ¿Le importaría cerrar la puerta, por favor?Would you mind closing the door, please?
- ¿Te importaría pasar el documento a mis compañeros?Do you mind passing the document to my colleagues?
- ¿Puedo molestarle un momento para hacerle unas preguntas sobre el proyecto?May I bother you for a moment to ask you some questions about the project?
- ¿Te importa si cambio la música?Do you mind if I change the music?
- ¿Te molesta si abro la ventana?Does it bother you if I open the window?
- ¿Te incomoda si fumo aquí?Do you mind if I smoke here?
- Señor Jiménez, ¿le importaría traducir este informe al inglés, por favor?Mr. Jimenez, would you mind translating this report into English, please?
- Oye Ana, ¿te importa comprar el pan en tu camino a casa?Hey Ana, do you mind buying bread on your way home?
- Disculpe, ¿puedo molestarle un instante para pedirle indicaciones?Excuse me, may I bother you for a moment to ask for directions?
- Oye Jorge, ¿te molesta si usamos tu coche para ir al cine?Hey Jorge, do you mind if we use your car to go to the movies?
- Voy a sentarme aquí, ¿te importa?I am going to sit here, do you mind?
