How to Say “Whatever” in German

Ways to say it

The term is used to indicate that the speaker does not care what someone says. In spoken German, naja functions as an interjection or filler to express indifference, hesitation or a dismissive attitude.

Which one should you use?

The choice of word depends on how you are using "whatever". Use naja as an interjection to dismiss a topic. Use egal to state that something is of no importance, such as in the phrase Das ist mir egal (I don't care). Use was auch immer when you need a direct translation of "whatever" as a relative pronoun or conjunction, such as in "Whatever happens, happens". Additionally, Wie auch immer is a formal way to say "however" or "anyway". For a colorful idiom, you can use Jacke wie Hose, which translates to "regardless of the… that".

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

Egal is also an informal term. nebbich is an archaic and highly informal term that is no longer in common usage. For a more formal tone when saying "anyway", use Wie auch immer.

Related words

Translations (pron): egal.

Regardless of the … that, for any … that (det): was auch immer, Jacke wie Hose.

How do you pronounce it?

/na(ː)ˈja(ː)/