No worries
Meaning: A casual way to say 'you're welcome,' 'it's okay,' or 'don't worry about it.'
While borrowed from Australian English, 'no worries' has become deeply embedded in American casual speech. It's used as a response to 'thank you,' as reassurance after a minor mistake, or to signal that something is not a big deal. It conveys an easygoing, unbothered attitude.
Examples
- Thanks for picking me up.' 'No worries, I was heading that way anyway. 谢谢你来接我。''没事,我反正也顺路。«Gracias por recogerme.» «No te preocupes, iba en esa dirección de todas formas.»「送ってくれてありがとう。」「大丈夫、どうせそっち方面に行くところだったから。」태워다줘서 고마워.' '괜찮아, 어차피 그쪽으로 가는 길이었어.
- Sorry I'm a few minutes late.' 'No worries at all. 不好意思迟到了几分钟。''完全没事。«Perdona que llegue unos minutos tarde.» «No pasa nada en absoluto.»「数分遅れてごめん。」「全然大丈夫だよ。」몇 분 늦어서 미안.' '전혀 괜찮아.
- No worries if you can't make it — we'll catch up another time. 你来不了也没关系——咱们下次再聚。No te preocupes si no puedes venir — ya quedaremos otro día.来られなくても気にしないで——また別の機会に会おう。못 오면 신경 쓰지 마——다음에 또 만나자.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: responding to thanks, reassurance, casual conversation
Tone: easygoing, reassuring
✓ Do Say
- No worries, happy to help!没事,乐意帮忙!¡No te preocupes, encantado de ayudar!大丈夫、喜んで手伝うよ!괜찮아, 도와줘서 기쁜걸!
- No worries at all.完全没关系。No te preocupes en absoluto.全然気にしないで。전혀 문제없어.
✗ Don't Say
- Some older Americans find it too casual as a response to 'thank you' — use 'you're welcome' in formal settings一些年长的美国人觉得用它回应'谢谢'太随意了——在正式场合用'you're welcome'更合适Algunos americanos mayores lo consideran demasiado informal como respuesta a 'gracias' — usa 'you're welcome' en contextos formales年配のアメリカ人の中には「ありがとう」への返答としてカジュアルすぎると感じる人もいる——フォーマルな場では「you're welcome」を使うこと일부 나이 든 미국인들은 '고마워'에 대한 답으로 너무 캐주얼하다고 느낀다 — 격식 있는 자리에서는 'you're welcome'을 사용할 것
Origin & History
Borrowed from Australian English in the late 20th century. Gained widespread American usage in the 2000s-2010s, particularly among millennials, as a softer alternative to 'you're welcome' or 'it's fine.'
Cultural Context
Era: 2000s onwards in American usage
Generation: Millennials and younger primarily, but spreading to all ages
Social background: Universal
More From This Topic
More from Everyday Expressions
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free