ドンマイ

• 読み: ドンマイ
• ローマ字: donmai
• 漢字の分解: From English 'don't mind' → shortened and adapted into Japanese as ドンマイ
• 発音: /doɴ.ma.i/

意味

Don't worry about it, no problem — a quick, encouraging phrase to console someone who made a mistake.

ドンマイ is one of Japan's most recognisable wasei-eigo (Japanese-coined English) expressions. It is used to quickly reassure someone after a fumble, error, or setback — like dropping a ball, making a small mistake at work, or failing a test. It is always supportive and encouraging, never sarcastic. The tone is upbeat and forward-looking: the past mistake does not matter, move on.

例文

1. 試合負けたけどドンマイ、次があるさ。
2. ミスっちゃった…。ドンマイドンマイ、気にすんな。
3. テストの点やばかったけど友達にドンマイって言われて救われた。

使い方ガイド

場面: friends, sports, encouragement, everyday consolation

トーン: supportive, encouraging, upbeat

正しい言い方

• ドンマイ、誰でもミスはあるよ。 (Don't sweat it, everyone makes mistakes.)
• ドンマイドンマイ、次がんばろう！ (Don't worry don't worry, let's do better next time!)

避ける言い方

• 深刻な失敗に「ドンマイ」は軽すぎる (Saying 'donmai' after a serious failure sounds dismissive — use もっと真剣な慰め to console properly)

よくある間違い

• Using ドンマイ for serious situations where the person needs genuine support — it is best for minor setbacks and sports errors, not major life problems
• Thinking English speakers will understand 'don't mind' the same way — the phrase is used differently in English

起源と歴史

Derived from English 'don't mind' — shortened and adapted into Japanese as ドンマイ. Spread through sports culture in the 1970s-80s, where it became the standard phrase for encouraging teammates after errors. Now used far beyond sports.

文化的背景

時代: 1970s-80s, spread through sports culture

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal, especially in sports contexts

地域メモ: Used across all of Japan. One of the most well-known examples of wasei-eigo (Japanese-made English expressions).