Chinese word

没什么

Pronunciation

Pinyinméi shén me

Meaning

  • interjectionnothing

Example

没什么。méi shén me

It's nothing.

Illustration for 没什么 (nothing)

More examples

别放在心上，没什么。bié fàng zài xīn shàng méi shén me

Don't worry about it; it's nothing.

Core concept

A small matter is waved aside as unimportant, making the phrase both reassuring and modest when no special response is needed.

Common phrases

  • 没什么关系méi shén me guān xì

    It doesn't matter

Similar words

不客气bú kè qì: A polite reply to thanks that means "you're welcome".
没关系méi guān xì: A reassuring reply to an apology or concern that says there is no problem and no need to worry.
没事méi shì: A short reassurance that no problem or accident has occurred and there is no need to worry.

Definition in Chinese

用作对别人的感谢时表示“不用谢/别客气”，在回答“怎么了？”时则表示没事或没有特别的情况。yòng zuò duì bié rén de gǎn xiè shí biǎo shì bú yòng xiè bié kè qì zài huí dá zěn me le shí zé biǎo shì méi shì huò méi yǒu tè bié de qíng kuàng

Word origin

没什么 (méishénme, "nothing much") is a shortened spoken form of 没有什么 (méiyǒu shénme, "there is nothing"), so its compact shape suits a casual reply that downplays the matter.

Usage tips

  • Its meaning depends on the moment: after thanks it keeps the exchange light, while after a worried question it signals that no serious issue is being raised.

Other meanings

  • you're welcomeinterjection

Word lists with this word