لا يهم
la yahummu
In Arabic, "no matter" is expressed as لا يهم (la yahummu).
Meaning: it's unimportant (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the negation particle لا (no/not) and the verb يهم (to matter/to be important).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In formal Arabic, you can use بغض النظر to translate "no matter" or use بأي حال to mean "in any case" or "regardless of the situation".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase لا يهم is in the third-person masculine singular form, which is the standard way to express "it doesn't matter" regardless of the subject being discussed.
How do you pronounce it?
la yahummu
Did you know?
- In a very polite or apologetic context, instead of saying 'it doesn't matter', an Arabic speaker might say لا عليك (la 'alayka), which translates to 'do not be upon it', effectively meaning 'don't worry about it'.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, when someone says something 'doesn't matter' or لا يهم, it is often accompanied by a gentle-handed shrug or a specific wave of the hand to signify nonchalance.
- The negation particle لا used in لا يهم is a direct descendant of the Proto-Semitic particle *lā, making it a linguistic cousin to the Hebrew word לֹא (lo).
Examples in context
- لا يهم ما تفعله, يجب عليك أن تفعل أفضل ما لديك.No matter what you do, you have to do your best.This sentence shows how to use لا يهم to express that an action does not change the requirement to do one's best.Tatoeba #1892559 by Asma, translation #1891666 by CK
- لا يهم من تسأل, أنتَ لن تستطيع أن تحصل على الإجابة المُرضية.No matter who you ask, you won't be able to get a satisfactory answer.This sentence uses لا يهم to indicate that the person being asked does not change the outcome of the situation.Tatoeba #1986793 by Asma, translation #1986100 by CK
- بغض النظر عن العقبات، سأستمر في سعيي لتحقيق أحلامي.No matter the obstacles, I will continue to pursue my dreams.
- بأي حال، يجب ألا نفقد الأمل.No matter what, we must not lose hope.
- لا يهم إذا تأخرت قليلاً.lā yahummu idhā ta'akharta qalīlan.It doesn't matter if you are a little late.
Example conversation
Yousef forgot to bring a pen to the meeting.
- يوسف Youssefآسف يا ليلى، نسيت قلمي في البيت.asif ya Layla, nasitu qalami fil-bayt.I'm sorry Layla, I forgot my pen at home.
- ليلى Laylaلا يهم، يمكنك استعارة قلمي.la yuhim, yumkinuka isti'arat qalami.It doesn't matter, you can borrow my pen.
- يوسف Youssefشكراً جزيلاً لكِ.shukran jazilan laki.Thank you very much.
- ليلى Laylaلا شكر على واجب يا يوسف.la shukra 'ala wajib ya Yousef.You're welcome, Yousef.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries لا, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
