What Does 无所谓 (wúsuǒwèi) Mean in Chinese?
Traditional: 無所謂Enhanced context lessonCommon
I don’t mind / It doesn’t matter to me
Quick answer: What does 无所谓 mean?
无所谓 — A phrase for saying the outcome is not important to you, with a tone that can range from relaxed to indifferent.
✓I don’t mind.
✓It doesn’t matter to me.
✓Either way is fine.
✓Whatever.
What Chinese people actually mean
Because it can sound emotionally detached, tone matters. In sensitive situations, 都可以 or 都行 may feel warmer.
Tone and formality
Can sound easygoing about a choice or indifferent to someone’s concern.
Conversational; use a clearer response when tact matters.
Literal meaning
Literally, there is nothing that particularly matters.
When not to use it
Avoid 无所谓 when you want to emphasize care or enthusiasm.
Common mistakes
- It expresses indifference or lack of a strong preference; delivery matters.
Chinese characters
Open each character to see its own meanings and vocabulary links.
Real conversations
1 · No preference
A: 坐里面还是外面？
zuò lǐmiàn háishi wàimiàn?
A: Sit inside or outside?
B: 我无所谓。
wǒ wúsuǒwèi.
B: I don’t mind.
How to pronounce 无所谓
无所谓
Tap to hear Mandarin.
wú2nd tone ↗
suǒ3rd tone ˇ
wèi4th tone ↘
When to use it
✓Use it when the outcome or choice is not important to you. It can be relaxed in an ordinary choice and dismissive in an emotional conversation.
✓For a simple preference, 我都可以 (wǒ dōu kěyǐ), “Either works for me,” makes acceptance clearer.
✓If a friend has no preference about seating, you can suggest 坐里面吧 (zuò lǐmiàn ba), “Let’s sit inside.” There is no need to keep asking them to choose.
✓If someone is discussing hurt feelings or an important relationship, a bare 无所谓 may sound uncaring. Acknowledge their concern before discussing what matters to you.
✓没关系 usually reassures someone about an issue; 无所谓 emphasizes your lack of concern or preference. They are not interchangeable in every apology.
Sources and editorial note
Base dictionary data: CC-CEDICT · CC BY-SA 4.0.Context lesson: Original Real Chinese launch content.