気にしないで
Meaning: A reassuring phrase meaning 'don't worry about it' or 'never mind' — used to put someone at ease after a mistake or apology.
気にしないで is the go-to response when someone apologises for a minor inconvenience or expresses concern about something trivial. It literally means 'don't let it weigh on your mind' and is a kind, dismissive wave that says the matter is not worth stressing over. It can also be used pre-emptively to tell someone not to worry about a favour they are about to do.
Examples
- コーヒーこぼしちゃった?気にしないで、すぐ拭くよ。 把咖啡打翻了?别在意,我马上擦。¿Has derramado el café? No te preocupes, lo limpio enseguida.커피 쏟았어? 신경 쓰지 마, 바로 닦을게.
- 遅れてごめん。気にしないで、全然大丈夫だよ。 迟到了不好意思。别在意,完全没关系。Perdona por llegar tarde. No te preocupes, no pasa nada.늦어서 미안. 신경 쓰지 마, 전혀 괜찮아.
- お金のことは気にしないで、今日は俺が出すから。 钱的事别在意,今天我请客。No te preocupes por el dinero, hoy invito yo.돈 걱정은 하지 마, 오늘은 내가 낼게.
Pronunciation
/ki.ni.ɕi.na.i.de/
Usage Guide
Context: reassurance, after apologies, friends, texting
Tone: reassuring, kind
✓ Do Say
- 気にしないで、誰でもミスはあるよ (Don't worry about it, everyone makes mistakes)别在意,谁都会犯错的(Don't worry about it, everyone makes mistakes)No te preocupes, a cualquiera le pasa.신경 쓰지 마, 누구나 실수는 하는 거야 (괜찮아, 누구나 실수할 수 있어)
- 気にしないで、大したことないから (Don't sweat it, it's no big deal)别在意,没什么大不了的(Don't sweat it, it's no big deal)No te preocupes, no es para tanto.신경 쓰지 마, 별거 아니야 (괜찮아, 대단한 일도 아닌데)
✗ Don't Say
- 重大なミスに「気にしないで」は軽すぎる — 状況に合わせた対応が必要 (Saying 気にしないで about a serious mistake is too dismissive — respond appropriately to the situation)对严重的失误说「気にしないで」太轻描淡写了——需要根据情况适当应对(Saying 気にしないで about a serious mistake is too dismissive — respond appropriately to the situation)Decir「気にしないで」ante un error grave es demasiado despreocupado: hay que responder de forma acorde a la situación.중대한 실수에 「気にしないで」는 너무 가볍다 — 상황에 맞는 대응이 필요하다 (심각한 실수에 気にしないで라고 하면 너무 가볍게 넘기는 것입니다 — 상황에 맞게 대응하세요)
Common Mistakes
- Using 気にしないで for genuinely serious situations where the person needs accountability, not dismissal
- Forgetting the polite form 気になさらないでください for formal contexts
Origin & History
From 気 (spirit/mind) + にする (to make into) + ないで (don't), literally 'don't make it into [something on your] mind.' A natural Japanese construction reflecting the cultural emphasis on harmony and relieving others' psychological burden.
Cultural Context
Era: Long-standing everyday expression
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used nationwide. Essential for maintaining social harmony by quickly alleviating guilt or embarrassment.
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