What does it mean word for word?
The phrase si no te importa literally means "if it doesn't matter to you". It is composed of si (if), no (not), te (to you) and importa (it matters/it is important).
Which one should you use?
The default form si no te importa uses the informal tú pronoun. In contrast, si no le importa uses the formal usted pronoun.
Is it said differently in some regions?
When addressing a group of people in a casual setting, common in Spain, use si no os importa (if you all don't mind). When addressing a group of people in Latin America, or in formal contexts in Spain, use si no les importa (if you all don't mind).
How does it change in a sentence?
Use the form si no le importa when speaking to someone you address with usted to maintain a polite or formal distance. To address a group of people, use si no os importa (informal) or si no les importa (formal/informal).
How do you pronounce it?
/si no te impoɾta/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, if someone replies no me importa to this request, it can sound unexpectedly blunt or dismissive, almost like saying 'I don't care'.
- The word importa comes from the Latin 'importare', which meant 'to carry in'. In this phrase, it describes whether a situation 'carries' any weight or consequence for the listener.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, using the formal si no le importa instead of the informal version is a crucial way to signal respect to elders or strangers.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría hacerte unas preguntas, si no te importa.I'd like to ask you a few questions if you don't mind.This sentence shows how to use si no te importa when asking questions.Tatoeba #7784520 by arh, translation #7783586 by CK
- Me gustaría estar a solas un momento, si no te importa.I'd like to be left alone for a while, if you don't mind.This sentence shows how to use si no te importa when asking to be left alone.Tatoeba #1446269 by Shishir, translation #29869 by CK
- Me gustaría hablar contigo por Skype, si no te importa.I'd like to talk to you on Skype if you don't mind.This sentence shows how to use si no te importa when requesting to talk via Skype.Tatoeba #8729226 by Ricardo14, translation #8702695 by Ricardo14
- ¿Podría cerrar la ventana, por favor, si no le importa?Could you please close the window, if you don't mind?
- Disculpe, ¿puedo sentarme aquí, si no le molesta?Excuse me, may I sit here, if you don't mind?
- ¿Podría ayudarme con esta maleta, si no es mucha molestia?Could you help me with this suitcase, if it's not too bothersome?
- ¿Podemos ver esa película, si no te importa?Can we watch that movie, if you don't mind?
- ¿Puedo tomar prestado tu libro, si no te molesta?Can I borrow your book, if you don't mind?
- ¿Puedo cambiar de asiento, si no te causa problemas?Can I change seats, if you don't mind?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Javier are at a coffee shop.
- MaríaPuedo sentarme aquí, si no te importa.I can sit here, if you don't mind.
- JavierClaro, no me importa en absoluto.Of course, I don't mind at all.
- MaríaGracias, Javier.Thank you, Javier.
- JavierDe nada, María.You're welcome, María.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
