신경 쓰지 마
singyeong sseuji ma
In Korean, nevermind is expressed as 신경 쓰지 마 (singyeong sseuji ma).
The phrase is used to tell someone not to worry about a mistake they have made, or to dismiss a topic that you no longer wish to discuss. While 신경 쓰지 마 is a common way to say nevermind, other forms like 괜찮아 can also be used to mean 'It's okay' or 'I'm fine'.
Which one should you use?
The phrase 신경 쓰지 마 is the negative command, whereas its positive counterpart 신경 써 means to 'pay attention' or 'care'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase polite and suitable for speaking to superiors or strangers, you can add –세요 to the end to create 신경 쓰지 마세요.
How do you pronounce it?
singyeong sseuji ma
Did you know?
- The word 신경 (singyeong) literally means 'nerve', so when you say 신경 쓰지 마, you are telling someone 'do not use your nerves' on the matter.
- The term 신경 쓰다 can be used as a compliment when someone puts a lot of 'nerve' or thought into a gift or a meal, meaning they were mindful of the other person's needs.
- The character used in the Sino-Korean root for 신경 is 神, which means 'spirit' or 'god', adding a metaphysical layer to the word 'nerve'.
Examples in context
- 신경 쓰지 마, 괜찮아.singyeong sseuji ma, gwaenchanha.Nevermind, it's okay.
- 내 말은 신경 쓰지 마.nae mareun singyeong sseuji ma.Nevermind what I said.
- 그 일은 신경 쓰지 마.geu ireun singyeong sseuji ma.Nevermind that matter.
Example conversation
Jieun apologizes to Hyunwoo for a small mistake.
- 지은 Ji-eun미안해, 현우야. 내가 실수했어.mianhae, Hyunwoo-ya. naega silsuhaesseo.I'm sorry, Hyunwoo. I made a mistake.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo괜찮아, 신경 쓰지 마.gwaenchanha, singyeong sseuji ma.It's okay, nevermind.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 신경 안 써도 돼?jeongmal singyeong an sseodo dwae?Are you sure you don't mind?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo응, 진짜 신경 쓰지 마.eung, jincha singyeong sseuji ma.Yeah, really, nevermind it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 마, 신경, CC BY-SA 4.0.
