Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| no me importa | /ˌno me imˈpoɾta/ | |
| no me interesa | /no me inteɾesa/ (from spelling rules) | |
| me da igual | /me da iɡwal/ (from spelling rules) | |
| me suda el coño | /me suda el koɲo/ (from spelling rules) | |
| me suda los cojones | /me suda los koxones/ (from spelling rules) | |
| me vale | /me ˈbale/ | Mexico |
| me suda la polla | /me suda la poʝa/ (from spelling rules) | Spain, vulgar |
| me importa un carajo | /me impoɾta un kaɾaxo/ (from spelling rules) | derogatory |
You can use no me importa for a general expression of indifference or no me interesa specifically to say you are not interested in a topic or object. If you are choosing between different options and want to say that any choice is acceptable, me da igual is the appropriate phrase, meaning 'it's all the same to me'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase no me importa is literally translated as 'it does not matter to me'.
Which one should you use?
While no me importa is a general expression of indifference, no me interesa is used specifically to express a lack of interest in something. Additionally, me da igual is used when choosing between options to imply that any choice is fine.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For informal emphasis, you might hear the phrase No me importa un comino (I don't care a cumin seed). In Spain, No me importa un bledo is a common way to say 'I don't care a darn'. Conversely, you should avoid the highly vulgar forms me suda la polla, me suda el coño and me suda los cojones in polite conversation. The phrase me importa un carajo is also much more aggressive and derogatory than the standard no me importa.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, me vale is a common way to say 'I don't care'. The vulgar expression me suda la polla is specifically noted in Spain.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the verb importar functions similarly to gustar, these phrases use an indirect object pronoun (me) and the verb is conjugated based on the thing being cared about, rather than the person feeling the indifference.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌno me imˈpoɾta/
Did you know?
- In Mexican Spanish, the word madre is used paradoxically to symbolize both the most important things and the most valueless things.
- The vulgar phrases involving me suda literally describe the act of sweating on a specific body part to show total indifference.
- In Mexico, the common phrase me vale is actually a shortened version of me vale madre. In this context, the word madre is used to represent something of absolutely no value or importance.
Examples in context
- Ya no me importa.I don't care anymore.This sentence shows how to express that you no longer care using no me importa.Tatoeba #1210382 by cueyayotl, translation #2271822 by CK
- Él no me interesa.I don't care for him.This sentence uses no me interesa to express a lack of interest in a person.Tatoeba #1556592 by marcelostockle, translation #260036 by CK
- Me da igual quién gane.I don't care who wins.This sentence uses me da igual to show that the outcome of a winner does not matter.Tatoeba #8814150 by arh, translation #4666936 by CK
- ¿Vamos al cine o a la playa? No me importa un comino, tú decides.Shall we go to the movies or to the beach? I don't care at all, you decide.
- 99 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are deciding which movie to watch.
- Javier¿Quieres ver una comedia o una película de acción?Do you want to watch a comedy or an action movie?
- SofíaNo me importa, tú elige la película.I don't care, you choose the movie.
- JavierEstá bien, veamos la de acción entonces.All right, let's watch the action one then.
- SofíaPerfecto, me parece una buena idea.Perfect, that sounds like a good idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I don't care” translations and entries no me importa, me vale, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries igual, me, me vale, no, vale, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
