気にしないで
ki ni shinaideinformal
The English phrase 'never mind' is expressed in Japanese as 気にしないで (ki ni shinaide). Wiktionary also lists 気にしないでください (ki ni shinaide kudasai) and 気にするな (ki ni suru na).
Meaning: do not be concerned (about someone or something, or about doing something) (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 気にしないで | ki ni shinaide | informal | |
| 気にしないでください | ki ni shinaide kudasai | informal | |
| 気にするな | ki ni suru na | [kʲi ɲ̟i sɨɾɯ̟ na̠] (narrow) | informal |
This phrase is used to tell someone not to be concerned about something or about doing something.
Which one should you use?
While 気にしないで is a gentle request or suggestion, 気にするな is a blunt command often used by males or in rougher speech.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 気にしないでください means 'Please don't worry about it.' The form 気にしないで is the standard way to tell a friend or equal to not worry about something. The form 気にするな is informal. Additionally, the phrase 気にしなくていいよ is an informal way to say 'You don't have to mind it.'
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 気にしないで is the standard way to tell a friend or an equal to not worry about something.
How do you pronounce it?
ki ni shinaide
Did you know?
- If you say 気にしないで to a superior, it can sound unintentionally condescending. Even though it means 'do not worry', it implies you are giving them permission to stop worrying.
- The word 気 is a 'loan-concept' from Chinese philosophy, where it represents the vital force of the universe, long before it became a part of everyday Japanese phrases about worrying.
- While 気にしないで tells someone not to worry, Japanese has a separate word 気に食わない which means 'to not like something' or 'to be dissatisfied' with a person.
Examples in context
- 気にするな。Never mind!Tatoeba #183270 by arnab, translation #20394 by CM
- 気にするなよ。Never mind.Tatoeba #183269 by wat, translation #20392 by Objectivesea
- 今、私が言ったことは気にしないで。Never mind what I just said.using the form 気にしないで.Tatoeba #10617633 by small_snow, translation #7937172 by AlanF_US
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a cafe, Hinata apologized for spilling a tiny bit of water.
- 陽太 Yotaごめん、水がちょっとこぼれちゃった。Gomen, mizu ga chotto koborechatta.Sorry, I spilled a little water.
- 陽葵 Himari大丈夫だよ、気にしないで。Daijoubu dayo, kini shinaide.It's okay, never mind.
- 陽太 Yota本当にごめんね。Hontou ni gomen ne.I'm really sorry.
- 陽葵 Himariいいよ、全然気にしてないから。Ii yo, zenzen ki ni shitenai kara.It's fine, I'm not worried about it at all.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “never mind” translations and entries 気にするな, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
