Translation guide
How to express that something is unimportant, makes no difference, or is not a concern in Japanese. The best choice depends on whether you mean 'either option is fine', 'it's not a problem', or 'I don't care'.
Expressing that any choice is acceptable, or that the outcome makes no difference.
A very common, neutral way to say 'either is fine' or 'it doesn't matter which'. Can sound slightly indifferent depending on tone.
紅茶とコーヒー、どちらでもいいです。
Tea or coffee, either is fine.
Casual version of どちらでもいい. Used in informal speech.
どっちでもいいよ。
Either one is fine.
Means 'anything is fine'. Can sound dismissive or like you don't care, so use with caution.
Can sound rude or indifferent if said bluntly. Soften with です/ます or add よ/ね.
食べ物はなんでもいいです。
Anything is fine for food.
Literally 'I don't mind'. More polite than いい but still casual. Often used as かまいません in polite speech.
どちらでもかまいません。
Either is fine with me.
Reassuring someone that a situation is not an issue or that you are not bothered.
Very common for 'it's okay', 'no problem'. Can be used in many contexts.
遅れても大丈夫です。
It doesn't matter if you're late.
Literally 'no problem'. Slightly more formal than 大丈夫.
少しぐらい汚れても問題ない。
It doesn't matter if it gets a little dirty.
Means 'don't worry about it'. Used when someone apologizes or seems concerned.
気にしないでください。
Please don't worry about it (it doesn't matter).
Expressing lack of interest or emotional detachment. Can be rude if not careful.
Stronger than どちらでもいい. Means 'I don't care either way' or 'it's irrelevant'. Can sound dismissive.
Often perceived as rude or cold. Use only in casual settings with close friends.
そんなことはどうでもいい。
That doesn't matter at all.
Literally 'it's not something I know/care about'. Very blunt and dismissive.
彼の失敗なんて知ったことではない。
I couldn't care less about his mistakes.
Saying that something remains true irrespective of conditions.
Pattern: 'even if ~, it doesn't matter'. Use ても after verbs, でも after nouns/na-adjectives.
雨が降っても関係ない。
It doesn't matter if it rains.
高くても問題ない。
It doesn't matter if it's expensive.
Formal pattern meaning 'regardless of ~'. Used in written or formal speech.
年齢に関係なく参加できます。
You can participate regardless of age.
Downplaying the significance of something.
Means 'it's not a big deal'. Polite form is 大したことではありません.
大したことではないから気にしないで。
It's not a big deal, so don't worry.
Literary expression meaning 'trivial' or 'insignificant'.
それは取るに足らない問題だ。
That's a trivial matter.
The English phrase 'it doesn't matter' has no single direct equivalent. Translating word-for-word as それは問題ではない is unnatural. Choose the expression that matches the nuance you want.
どちらでもいいです。
Either is fine. (not それは問題ではない)
いい is neutral and common. かまわない is slightly more polite and means 'I don't mind'. どうでもいい expresses indifference and can be rude. Use どうでもいい only with close friends or when you really don't care.
A: どっちがいい？ B: どっちでもいいよ。
A: Which do you prefer? B: Either is fine.
A: どっちがいい？ B: どうでもいい。
A: Which do you prefer? B: I don't care. (rude)