Wen kümmert's
The English phrase "who cares" can be translated into German as Wen kümmert's.
Wen kümmert's is used as a reply to an unimportant statement.
Meaning: reply to an unimportant statement (phrase)
Which one should you use?
Das ist mir egal is a more neutral way to express indifference compared to the more dismissive Wen kümmert's. For a more colloquial approach, you can say Na und? to mean "So what?" or use Ist doch egal! to express that something is all the same. In formal situations, you should use Es spielt keine Rolle, which translates to "It plays no role."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you wish to be colloquial, you can use Na und? or Ist doch egal! In formal contexts, use Es spielt keine Rolle.
Did you know?
- If you want to sound particularly dismissive or even a bit rude, you can use the word Wurscht instead of 'egal' in some regions, as in Das ist mir Wurscht, which literally means 'That is sausage to me'.
- The word egal in Das ist mir egal is actually borrowed from the French word égal, meaning 'equal'.
- In very casual speech, the phrase Na und? can be paired with a shrug and a specific upward tilt of the chin to heighten the sense of defiance.
Examples in context
- Ich verstehe Ihren Standpunkt, aber es ist egal, welchen Weg wir wählen.I understand your perspective, but it doesn't matter which path we choose.
- Ist doch egal! Du kannst sie später nachholen.It's all the same! You can catch up later.
- Wen kümmert's, was die Leute sagen?Who cares what people say?
- Wen kümmert's, ob er kommt?Who cares if he comes?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a trivial celebrity news story.
- LauraHast du gehört, dass sie sich getrennt haben?Did you hear that they broke up?
- LukasWen kümmert's wirklich?Who really cares?
- LauraEs ist doch immer so spannend.It is always so exciting though.
- LukasFür mich ist das total egal.It doesn't matter to me at all.
