无所谓

• Pinyin: wú suǒ wèi
• Hanzi breakdown: 无 = without; 所 = 户 (household) + 斤 (axe), a place; 谓 = 讠(speech) + 胃 (stomach, phonetic), to say or call something

Meaning

It doesn't matter; I don't care; to be indifferent.

Expresses indifference or nonchalance — that something is of no consequence. Can convey genuine flexibility ('it's fine either way') or a dismissive attitude ('I couldn't care less'). Tone depends heavily on context. Extremely common in spoken Chinese.

Examples

1. 去哪儿吃饭我无所谓，你决定吧。 I don't mind where we eat — you decide.
2. 他对别人的评价完全无所谓，只做自己。 He is completely indifferent to others' opinions and just does his own thing.
3. 这件事无所谓好坏，关键看你怎么看待它。 This matter isn't inherently good or bad — it all depends on how you look at it.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, opinions, casual conversation

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 今天喝茶还是咖啡？随便，我无所谓。(Tea or coffee today? Either is fine — I don't mind.)
• 他对成败无所谓，只享受过程。(He doesn't care about winning or losing — he just enjoys the process.)

Don't Say

• 对不起。无所谓。(Using 无所谓 in response to an apology sounds dismissive and even rude — use 没关系 or 没事 instead.)

Origin & History

Compound of 无 (without) + 所 (that which) + 谓 (to call, to say it is), literally 'there is nothing that can be called [important about this].'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal