Chinese word

不要紧

Pronunciation

Pinyinbù yào jǐn

Meaning

  • adjectiveokay

Example

别担心，不要紧。bié dān xīn bú yào jǐn

Don't worry, it's okay.

Illustration for 不要紧 (okay)

More examples

这点小事不要紧。zhè diǎn xiǎo shì bú yào jǐn

This small thing doesn't matter.

Core concept

A reassuring way to treat a problem as too small to worry about.

Common phrases

  • 这点小事不要紧zhè diǎn xiǎo shì bú yào jǐn

    this small thing doesn't matter

  • 迟到几分钟也不要紧chí dào jǐ fēn zhōng yě bú yào jǐn

    being a few minutes late doesn't matter

Similar words

没关系méi guān xì: Shows that a mistake or inconvenience causes no real problem and need not be taken to heart.
没事méi shì: Shows that nothing is wrong and everything is fine.
没大碍méi dà ài: Shows that a problem has caused no serious harm or major disruption.

Definition in Chinese

表示事情不重要，不用担心，不必放在心上。biǎo shì shì qíng bú zhòng yào bú yòng dān xīn bú bì fàng zài xīn shàng

Word origin

不要紧 (bùyàojǐn, "not important") negates 要紧 (yàojǐn, "important or urgent"), presenting a situation as lacking serious weight.

Usage tips

  • 不要紧 (bùyàojǐn, "not important") often reassures someone after an apology, mistake, or minor mishap, while English okay can sound like a simple status report.

Other meanings

  • it doesn't matteradjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word