What does it mean word for word?
Literally, no hay de qué preocuparse translates to "there is nothing of which to worry oneself".
Which one should you use?
While no hay de qué preocuparse addresses the lack of a reason for anxiety, it is different from no hay de qué, which is a standard response to 'gracias' (you're welcome).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
no hay de qué preocuparse is relatively formal and is suitable for professional or polite settings. For a formal tone, you may also use No se preocupe en absoluto, whereas No te preocupes para nada. is an informal phrase that translates to don't worry at all.
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify that the speaker is not worried personally, you can change the reflexive pronoun to the first person: no hay de qué preocuparme (there is nothing for me to worry about).
How do you pronounce it?
/no ai de ke pɾeokupaɾse/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, if you want to tell someone 'don't worry' in a very casual way, you might simply say No pasa nada, which literally means 'nothing happens'.
- If you are in a very relaxed setting, you might hear the slangy Tranqui, which is a shortened version of tranquilo used as a command to mean 'relax' or 'no worries'.
- The word hay in no hay de qué preocuparse is actually a historical contraction of the Old Spanish phrase ha ý, meaning 'it has there'.
Examples in context
- Llegaré un poco tarde para la cena, pero tranquilo, no hay bronca.I'll be a little late for dinner, but don't worry, no problem.
- No hay de qué preocuparse por el examen.There is no need to worry about the exam.
- No hay de qué preocuparse, todo saldrá bien.There is nothing to worry about, everything will be fine.
- Dile que no hay de qué preocuparse.Tell her there is no need to worry.
Example conversation
Mateo is comforting María about a small mistake at work.
- MateoMaría, ¿estás nerviosa por el error de hoy?María, are you nervous about today's mistake?
- MaríaSí, tengo miedo de que el jefe se enoje.Yes, I am afraid the boss will get angry.
- MateoNo hay de qué preocuparse, él es muy amable.There is no need to worry, he is very kind.
- MaríaGracias, Mateo, me siento mucho mejor.Thanks, Mateo, I feel much better.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, hay, no, qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
