ドンマイ

• Reading: ドンマイ
• Romaji: donmai
• Kanji breakdown: From English 'don't mind' → shortened and adapted into Japanese as ドンマイ
• Pronunciation: /doɴ.ma.i/

Meaning

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.

Examples

1. 試合負けたけどドンマイ、次があるさ。 We lost the game, but don't sweat it — there's always next time.
2. ミスっちゃった…。ドンマイドンマイ、気にすんな。 I messed up… Don't worry about it, don't worry about it — forget about it.
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。 I bombed the test, but my friend told me 'don't sweat it' and it really helped.

Usage Guide

Context: friends, sports, encouragement, everyday consolation

Tone: supportive, encouraging, upbeat

Do Say

• 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!)

Don't Say

• 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)

Common Mistakes

• 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

Origin & History

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.

Cultural Context

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

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal, especially in sports contexts

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