What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of keine (no/none) and Sorge (worry/concern).
Which one should you use?
The singular keine Sorge is often used as a command or reassurance to 'not worry' (don't worry), whereas the plural keine Sorgen is more common when referring to the absence of multiple concerns.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal way to say "don't worry", use Machen Sie sich keine Sorgen. If you are using 'no worries' to mean 'you're welcome' in a more formal setting, Keine Ursache is a more appropriate idiomatic response. For informal settings, you can use Mach dir keine Gedanken for "don't worry" or Kein Problem for "no problem".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Bavaria, the phrase Macht nix is used to convey 'no worries' with a colloquial tone.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈkaɪ̯nə ˈzɔr.ɡə/. It has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 1 of 3.
When do people say it?
Alles gut means 'all good' and is used to signal that everything is okay.
Did you know?
- The Proto-Indo-European root of Sorge may have originally meant 'to watch over'. Over thousands of years, the meaning shifted from the act of caring for something to the anxiety felt while doing so.
- In the phrase Mach dir keine Gedanken, the literal translation is 'make yourself no thoughts'. This uses the concept of 'thinking' as a synonym for 'worrying'.
Examples in context
- Meine einzige Sorge besteht darin, dass ich keine Sorgen habe.My only worry is that I have no worries.This sentence shows how to use keine Sorge when describing an absence of worry.Tatoeba #2673619 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2673505 by WestofEden
- „Du wirst dir deine Kleidung schmutzig machen.“ „Mach dir keine Sorgen! Sehr sauber waren sie ohnehin nicht.“"You'll get your clothes dirty." "No worries. They weren't very clean in the first place."This sentence uses keine Sorge as a way to reassure someone that getting clothes dirty is not a problem.Tatoeba #2864779 by al_ex_an_der, translation #328602 by fcbond
- Keine Sorgen, ich helfe Ihnen!No worries, I'll help you!This sentence uses keine Sorge to offer help and reassurance.Tatoeba #13748662 by Ioan_Cristian, translation #13748663 by Ioan_Cristian
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura apologizes for being five minutes late to meet Julian.
- LauraTut mir leid, dass ich etwas zu spät bin.I'm sorry that I'm a little late.
- JulianKeine Sorge, ich bin auch gerade erst gekommen.No worries, I just got here too.
- LauraDas ist nett von dir, Julian.That's kind of you, Julian.
- JulianAlles gut, gehen wir jetzt rein?It's all good, shall we go inside now?
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (keine, Sorge) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Sorge, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
