Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| indiferente | /indifeˈɾente/ |
| apático | /aˈpatiko/ |
| ni le viene ni le va | /ni le bjene ni le ba/ (from spelling rules) |
Spanish offers several ways to express that someone does not care. Use indiferente to describe a lack of interest in a specific matter or person. If you want to describe a person who lacks general energy, enthusiasm or emotion, use apático. To say that something is of no consequence or interest to someone in a more colorful way, you can use the colloquial phrase ni le viene ni le va.
Which one should you use?
While indiferente describes a lack of care regarding a specific thing, apático implies a much broader, general lack of enthusiasm or emotion. The phrase ni le viene ni le va is a colloquial idiom used to show that something simply does not matter to a person.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase me vale is an informal expression of indifference used specifically in certain Latin American countries. Additionally, me da lo mismo is an informal variation used in some Latin American countries to express that something is all the same.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective indiferente is invariant in gender, so it remains the same whether the subject is masculine or feminine. However, it must change to indiferentes to match plural subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
/indifeˈɾente/
Did you know?
- In Mexico, the informal phrase me vale is often paired with a dismissive hand wave to visually signal total indifference.
- The idiom ni le viene ni le va describes a state of indifference by using the verbs 'come' and 'go', suggesting that the matter does not move toward or away from the person.
- The word apático shares its roots with the Greek word for 'without passion' or 'without feeling', which is why it describes a person lacking emotional energy rather than just a lack of interest.
Examples in context
- A él le es indiferente lo que otros digan.He is indifferent to what others say.This sentence shows how to use indiferente to describe someone's reaction to the words of others.Tatoeba #1702376 by teskmon, translation #288231 by al_ex_an_der
- Jiro se muestra indiferente sobre su ropa.Jiro is indifferent about clothing.This sentence illustrates using indiferente regarding a person's attitude toward clothing.Tatoeba #2705505 by caiser, translation #264376 by CP
- La policía se mostró indiferente con el asunto.The police were indifferent to the matter.This sentence demonstrates how indiferente can describe an institution's lack of concern regarding a matter.Tatoeba #2056457 by lazarus1907, translation #238219 by al_ex_an_der
- Me resulta indiferente el resultado de las elecciones.I am indifferent to the election results.
- Para mí, resulta indiferente si vienes o no.To me, it is indifferent if you come or not.
- No me importa lo que piensen los demás.I don't care what others think.
- Este tema no me importa.This topic doesn't matter to me.
- Me da igual si vemos una película o salimos a pasear.I don'm't mind whether we watch a movie or go for a walk.
- Para mí, me da igual dónde cenemos esta noche.To me, it's all the same where we have dinner tonight.
- Me vale si llegas tarde.I don't care if you arrive late.
- Me da lo mismo si vamos en carro o en bus.It's all the same to me whether we go by car or bus.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are discussing which movie to watch.
- Daniel¿Quieres ver una película de terror o de acción?Do you want to watch a horror movie or an action movie?
- MaríaMe es indiferente, tú elige la que prefieras.I'm indifferent, you choose the one you prefer.
- DanielEntonces vamos a ver la de acción.Then let's watch the action one.
- MaríaPerfecto, me parece muy bien.Perfect, that sounds great to me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “indifferent” translations and entries indiferente, apático, 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 apático, indiferente, le, ni, va, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
