ce n'est rien
The English phrase "nevermind" can be translated into French as ce n'est rien.
This phrase is used to tell someone that a mistake or a small problem is not important.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ce n'est rien literally translates to "it is nothing".
Which one should you use?
You might use Peu importe to mean "it doesn't matter". If you want to tell someone to "forget about it", you can use Oubliez ça in a formal context or Oublie ça in an informal setting.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In formal situations, you can use Oubliez ça to mean "forget about it". In informal settings, you can use Oublie ça or the variant Laisse tomber. In casual spoken French, the ne in ce n'est rien is almost always dropped, resulting in the informal c'est rien.
Did you know?
- In French, using ce n'est rien as a response to a 'thank you' transforms the phrase from 'nevermind' into 'you are welcome'.
- The word rien in ce n'est rien comes from the Latin word rem, meaning 'thing'. Over time, the meaning shifted from 'any thing' to 'no thing' and eventually to 'nothing'.
- If you want to say 'nevermind' with a sense of 'let it go' or 'drop the subject', the idiomatic expression Laisse tomber is used, which literally means 'let it fall'.
Examples in context
- Oubliez ça, nous pourrons discuter sans eux.Nevermind, we can discuss without them.
- Non, laisse tomber, ça n'a pas d'importance.No, nevermind, it doesn't matter.
- Oh, pardon ! Je vous ai bousculé. Ce n'est rien.Oh, sorry! I bumped into you. It's nothing (nevermind).
- Ce n'est rien, ne t'inquiète pas.It's nothing, don't worry.
- Oh, ce n'est rien, j'ai juste renversé un peu d'eau.Oh, it's nothing, I just spilled a little water.
- Ce n'est rien, on peut le réparer facilement.It's nothing, we can fix it easily.
Example conversation
Chloé accidentally bumps into Hugo in the hallway.
- ChloéDésolée, Hugo ! Je ne t'avais pas vu.Sorry, Hugo! I didn't see you.
- HugoCe n'est rien, Chloé. Tout va bien.Nevermind, Chloé. Everything is fine.
- ChloéTu es sûr que ça va ?Are you sure you're okay?
- HugoOui, vraiment, ce n'est rien.Yes, really, it's nothing.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ce, rien, CC BY-SA 4.0.
