Translation guide
Expressing indifference, lack of preference, or that something does not matter. Japanese uses different expressions depending on the nuance: casual indifference, polite disinterest, or emotional detachment.
Express that you have no preference or that something doesn't matter to you in a casual, sometimes dismissive way.
Common casual phrase meaning 'I don't care' or 'whatever'. Can sound dismissive or annoyed depending on tone.
そんなこと、どうでもいいよ。
I don't care about that kind of thing.
どっちでもいい。
Either is fine. (I don't care which.)
Very common casual reply meaning 'not really' or 'I don't care'. Often used alone or followed by a negative verb.
A: 何食べたい？ B: 別に。
A: What do you want to eat? B: I don't care.
別に気にしない。
I don't really care.
Strong, dismissive 'I don't care' or 'What do I care?'. Rough and confrontational.
お前の都合なんて知ったことか。
I don't care about your convenience.
Express lack of preference or that something is not important in a polite or neutral way.
Polite way to say 'either is fine' or 'I don't mind'. Suitable for formal situations.
お時間はどちらでも構いません。
Any time is fine with me. (I don't care about the time.)
Literally 'I don't mind' or 'I don't worry about it'. Used when something doesn't bother you.
結果は気にしません。
I don't care about the result.
A more formal version of どうでもいい, meaning 'I don't care either way'.
私はどうでも構わない。
I don't care either way.
Express that you have stopped caring about something, often due to frustration or resignation.
Adds もう (already) to どうでもいい to mean 'I don't care anymore'.
もうどうでもいいや。
I don't care anymore.
Literally 'I don't know', but often used to mean 'I don't care' or 'It's not my problem' in a dismissive way.
そんなの知らないよ。
I don't care about that. / That's not my problem.
Express reckless indifference to outcomes.
Means 'I don't care what happens' or 'I won't be responsible'. Often used as a warning.
後でどうなっても知らないからね。
I don't care what happens later. (Don't come crying to me.)
Rough command meaning 'Do what you want' or 'I don't care what you do'. Shows irritation.
もう勝手にしろ。
I don't care anymore, do what you want.
Directly translating 'I don't care' as 私は気にしない can sound unnatural. Japanese often uses set phrases like どうでもいい or 別に depending on context.
どうでもいい is more emphatic and can sound dismissive. 別に is softer and often used when you genuinely have no preference. Both are casual.