What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "nothing for ill-intent" or "nothing for badness".
Which one should you use?
While nichts für ungut is a common way to say "no disrespect", other options exist depending on the setting. Nicht böse gemeint, aber… is an informal way to say "no disrespect" in German, and the formal phrase Ich möchte niemandem zu nahe treten. can be used to express the sentiment "I don't want to offend anyone."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
nichts für ungut is an informal expression common in colloquial, everyday German rather than in highly formal or academic writing. For more formal situations, you might use Ich möchte niemandem zu nahe treten.
How does it change in a sentence?
nichts für ungut is an idiomatic fixed expression and does not change its form based on the subject or tense.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈnɪçts fyːɐ̯ ˈʊnɡuːt/
Did you know?
- While nichts für ungut is a fixed phrase, the formal alternative zu nahe treten literally describes the act of 'stepping too close' to someone.
- In colloquial German, nichts für ungut can be used as a standalone reply to a criticism to indicate that you accept the remark without taking offense.
- The word ungut in nichts für ungut is a direct cognate of the obsolete English word 'ungood'.
Examples in context
- Ich möchte niemanden beleidigen, aber ich bin anderer Meinung.I don't want to offend anyone, but I have a different opinion.
- Nichts für ungut, aber deine Idee ist ziemlich schlecht.No offense, but your idea is quite bad.
- Nichts für ungut, aber das Design ist zu bunt.No disrespect, but the design is too colorful.
- Ich wollte das nicht böse meinen, nichts für ungut.I didn't mean that badly, no disrespect.
- Nichts für ungut, aber dein Plan klingt riskant.No disrespect, but your plan sounds risky.
Example conversation
Lukas and Julia are discussing a project at work.
- LukasNichts für ungut, Julia, aber das Design ist zu alt.No offense, Julia, but the design is too old.
- JuliaDas ist okay, Lukas. Was schlägst du vor?That's okay, Lukas. What do you suggest?
- LukasWir sollten modernere Farben verwenden.We should use more modern colors.
- JuliaDas klingt nach einem guten Plan.That sounds like a good plan.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry nichts für ungut, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries für, nichts, nichts für ungut, ungut, CC BY-SA 4.0.
