Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| всё равно́ | vsjo ravnó | |
| ну и ла́дно | nu i ládno | |
| какая разница | kakaja raznica | |
| прое́хали | projéxali | |
| фи | fi | [fʲi] (narrow) |
The phrase 'whatever' in English can be used to indicate that the speaker does not care what someone says. In Russian, you use всё равно́ to express this indifference. If you want to signal that a conversation is unproductive and should be dropped, you can use the colloquialism прое́хали, which means 'we've moved on' or 'let's drop it'. If you are conceding a point reluctantly, you might say ну и ла́дно (well, fine then).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase всё равно́ literally means 'everything is equal'.
Which one should you use?
While всё равно́ focuses on the speaker's indifference, какая разница is used to emphasize that a distinction is irrelevant, translating to 'what difference (does it make)'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a dismissive 'whatever' or 'fine, if you say so', ну и ла́дно is an informal option. For a more casual dismissal similar to 'screw it', you can use Чёрт с ним. If you want to be formal, use Неважно to mean 'it doesn't matter' when discussing preferences or options or Во что бы то ни стало to express determination, meaning 'no matter what'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify who doesn't care, you can add the dative pronoun after всё равно́, such as всё равно́ мне to mean 'it is all the same to me'.
How do you pronounce it?
vsjo ravnó
Did you know?
- The phrase Чёрт с ним literally translates to 'the devil with it', framing the 'whatever' attitude as a way of casting the problem away to the devil.
- The single-syllable sound фи is a common way to express dismissive distaste or 'whatever' in response to something unpleasant, much like a verbalized expression of disgust.
- If you want to say 'whatever' to dismiss a topic entirely, you can say прое́хали, which literally means 'we have driven through' or 'we have traveled through'.
Examples in context
- У неё хорошая фигура, поэтому ей идёт всё, что бы она ни надела.Because she has a good figure, whatever she wears suits her.This sentence shows how фи can be used in a context regarding what someone wears.Tatoeba #5380803 by sharptoothed, translation #310993 by CM
- Вы можете играть в Го, используя всё, что у вас есть, например, фишки для покера, бусинки, пуговицы, монеты и т. Д. Вам не нужно использовать камни Го.You can play Go using whatever you have, such as poker chips, beads, buttons, coins, etc. You do not need to use Go stones.This sentence demonstrates using фи when discussing the items one might use to play a game.Tatoeba #10359286 by carlosalberto, translation #10359279 by carlosalberto
- Мы завершим этот проект во что бы то ни стало.We will complete this project, whatever it takes.
- Мне сегодня не хочется учиться. Ну и чёрт с ним.I don't feel like studying today. Oh well, screw it.
- Мне подходит любое кафе, так что ты выбирай. Как хочешь.I'm fine with any restaurant, so you choose. Whatever you want.
Example conversation
Olga and Andrey are arguing about which movie to watch.
- Ольга OlgaЭтот фильм слишком длинный!Etot fil'm slishkom dlinnyy!This movie is too long!
- Андрей AndreyНо он очень популярен.No on ochen' popularen.But it's very popular.
- Ольга OlgaА мне всё равно́.A mne vsyo ravno.Whatever / I don't care.
- Андрей AndreyТогда выбирай сама.Togda vybiray sama.Then choose for yourself.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “whatever” translations and entries фи, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
