Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| lo que sea | /lo ke ˈsea/ | |
| como sea | /ˌkomo ˈsea/ | |
| no importa | /no impoɾta/ (from spelling rules) | |
| da igual | /da iɡwal/ (from spelling rules) | |
| lo que digas | /lo ke diɡas/ (from spelling rules) | |
| lo que tú digas | /lo ke tu diɡas/ (from spelling rules) | |
| lo dicho | /lo dit͡ʃo/ (from spelling rules) | |
| me la suda | /me la ˈsuda/ | vulgar |
| me importa una mierda | /me impoɾta una mjeɾda/ (from spelling rules) | vulgar |
| me importa un comino | /me impoɾta un komino/ (from spelling rules) | |
| me importa un pepino | /me impoɾta un pepino/ (from spelling rules) | |
| ni fu ni fa | /niˌfu niˈfa/ | colloquial |
| velay | /belai/ (from spelling rules) | |
| velahí | /belai/ (from spelling rules) | alternative form |
| filo | /ˈfilo/ | Chile |
The different forms of 'whatever' in Spanish are used to indicate the speaker does not care what someone says.
Which one should you use?
The choice of phrase depends on what you are dismissing. Use lo que sea when referring to an unspecified thing or object. Use como sea when referring to the manner or way something is done. To specifically dismiss someone's words or opinion, use lo que digas.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
No importa and da igual are ways to say 'it doesn't matter' or 'it's all the same'. For a milder, non-vulgar approach to saying you don't care, use me importa un comino or me importa un pepino. In contrast, me la suda and me importa una mierda are vulgar expressions used to convey total indifference. Ni fu ni fa is a colloquial way to express a lack of interest or a neutral response.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chile, the colloquial term filo is used to express indifference or 'whatever'. You may also see the spelling velahí as an alternative to velay.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase lo que sea uses the subjunctive mood to express uncertainty or any possible option.
How do you pronounce it?
/lo ke ˈsea/
Did you know?
- The phrase ni fu ni fa is an onomatopoeic expression that mimics meaningless sounds to describe something that is neither good nor bad.
- The word que in the phrase lo que sea is a descendant of the Latin 'quid', making it a distant linguistic relative of the English word 'who'.
- To express indifference, Spanish speakers often reference small vegetables, using comino 'cumin' or pepino 'cucumber' to show they do not care.
Examples in context
- Lo que tú digas.Whatever you say.This example shows how to use lo que tú digas to dismiss someone's words.Tatoeba #2006584 by marcelostockle, translation #70988 by CK
- Digas lo que digas, no te creo.Whatever you may say, I don't believe you.This example demonstrates using lo que digas to show you do not believe someone regardless of what they say.Tatoeba #637424 by Leono, translation #17919 by Zifre
- Él hará lo que sea que le pidas.He'll do whatever you ask him to.This example illustrates the use of lo que sea to refer to an unspecified action or thing.Tatoeba #2311757 by marcelostockle, translation #295614 by CK
- Prefiero que hagamos el proyecto de esa manera, pero como sea, lo importante es terminarlo a tiempo.I prefer that we do the project that way, but whatever, the important thing is to finish it on time.
- Sea lo que sea, estoy dispuesto a aceptar las consecuencias.Whatever happens, I'm willing to accept the consequences.
- No importa, hagamos lo que sea.It doesn't matter, let's do whatever.
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are arguing about where to eat.
- JavierPodemos ir a la italiana o a la mexicana.We can go to the Italian place or the Mexican place.
- SofíaLo que sea, no tengo hambre.Whatever, I am not hungry.
- Javier¿Entonces prefieres que nos quedemos en casa?So do you prefer that we stay at home?
- SofíaSí, me da igual el plan.Yes, I don't care about the plan.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “whatever” translations and entries lo que sea, como sea, no importa, me la suda, ni fu ni fa, velay, velahí, filo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries como, igual, lo, lo que sea, no, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
