What Does 没关系 (méi guānxi) Mean in Chinese?
Traditional: 沒關係Enhanced context lessonVery common
It’s okay / No problem / It doesn’t matter
Quick answer: What does 没关系 mean?
没关系 — A standard response to an apology or a minor problem, often reassuring the other person.
✓It’s okay.
✓No problem.
✓It doesn’t matter.
What Chinese people actually mean
没关系 is especially natural as a response to an apology. In casual speech, 没事 is also extremely common.
Tone and formality
Usually gentle and reassuring after an apology.
Neutral and polite in everyday interactions.
Literal meaning
Literally, no relation or connection; as a reply it is idiomatic.
When not to use it
Do not use 没关系 alone as a clear promise to complete a task.
Common mistakes
- It commonly reassures someone after an apology.
Compare & practice
Compare 没事 / 没关系 / 没问题 in everyday situations.
See the differences & try 3 questions →Chinese characters
Open each character to see its own meanings and vocabulary links.
没méi(negative prefix for verbs) have not; not关guānmountain pass系xiMeaning in this word: context-dependent
Real conversations
1 · Answering an apology
A: 对不起，我迟到了。
duìbuqǐ, wǒ chídào le.
A: Sorry, I’m late.
B: 没关系。
méi guānxi.
B: It’s okay.
How to pronounce 没关系
没关系
Tap to hear Mandarin.
méi2nd tone ↗
guān1st tone →
xineutral tone
When to use it
✓Use 没关系 to reassure someone after an apology or say that a minor problem does not matter. 没事 is also natural in many casual apology exchanges.
✓If you receive this reply after apologizing, acknowledge it and correct any remaining practical problem. The words do not mean the speaker has agreed to take on a new task.
✓For reassurance you can add 别担心 (bié dānxīn), “Don’t worry.” Choose it only when reassurance is appropriate to the situation.
✓When accepting a request to help, 没问题 or 可以 usually communicates the commitment more clearly.
✓Tone can still convey impatience or warmth. A dictionary translation cannot establish whether someone has fully forgiven a serious mistake.
Sources and editorial note
Base dictionary data: CC-CEDICT · CC BY-SA 4.0.Context lesson: Original Real Chinese launch content.