問題ない
mondai nai
mondai nai is the Japanese phrase for "no problem."
This phrase is used to express that there is no problem or that everything is fine. It specifically emphasizes the absence of an issue or obstacle.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun 問題 (mondai), meaning "problem" or "issue" and the adjective/verb ない (nai), meaning "none" or "does not exist".
Which one should you use?
While both 問題ない and 大丈夫です can be used to mean "it's okay," 問題ない specifically emphasizes the absence of an issue or obstacle, whereas 大丈夫 is a more general term for "being okay" or "being safe".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 問題ない is casual and should be used with friends, family or subordinates rather than in formal business interactions. For a polite version suitable for superiors or professional settings, use 問題ありません.
How do you pronounce it?
mondai nai
Did you know?
- In Japanese business culture, saying 問題ない to a superior can actually be seen as a sign of disrespect or lack of thoroughness, as it sounds too dismissive of the potential risks they are asking you to evaluate.
- In anime and manga, characters often use 問題ない as a confident declaration of mastery, typically paired with a smug expression or a shrug to signal total control.
- While 問題ない denies a problem, the word 問題 is used in Japanese schools to describe a 'question' on a test, making a test paper a collection of 'problems'.
Examples in context
- 大丈夫ですし、問題ありませんので、ご安心ください。Please rest assured as everything is alright and there are no problems.
- 準備は問題ないです。junbi wa mondai nai desu.The preparations are fine.
- 今のところ、問題ないよ。ima no tokoro, mondai nai yo.As of now, there is no problem.
- その計画は全く問題ない。sono keikaku wa mattaku mondai nai.That plan is no problem at all.
Example conversation
Kenta asks Misaki about the progress of a project.
- 美咲 Misaki健太君、進捗はどう？Kenta-kun, shinchoku wa dou?Kenta, how is the progress?
- 健太 Kenta順調だよ。問題ない。junchou da yo. mondai nai.It's going well. There's no problem.
- 美咲 Misakiそれはよかった。sore wa yokatta.That's good to hear.
- 健太 Kenta明日には終わるよ。ashita ni wa owaru yo.I'll finish it by tomorrow.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 問題ない, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
