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没关系 (méi guān xi) — it doesn't matter; no problem

Definition

Set phrase meaning 'it doesn't matter / no problem', used to reply to thanks or to brush off small worries. 好说 sounds like 'no problem' but means 'I can handle it' (you're welcome for a favor); 不要紧 is a written/书面 synonym for 'not serious'.

phrase
it doesn't matterno problem

Examples

  • ，。没关系。
    Duì bu qǐ, wǒ bú huì. méi guān xi.
    Sorry, I don't know how. It doesn't matter.
  • 。没关系。
    Xiè xie. méi guān xi.
    Thanks. You're welcome.
  • 没关系，。
    méi guān xi, Nǐ chī ba.
    It doesn't matter, go ahead and eat.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

没méinot have
关系connection
关guānconnect系xìlink
联合Coordinate

没 not have and 关系 connection combine to mean there is no relevance, so it does not matter.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 沒; 没 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
水水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
𠬛
𠬛𠬛沒mò
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 沒 pairs 水 (water) with 𠬛 as a sound part; this note is about 沒, not the simplified 没.

Open 没 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 關; 关 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
門門méndoor
Sound part声符shēngfú
𢇅
𢇅𢇅關guān
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

For 关, the traditional form 關 shows 門 as a door and 𢇅 as two wooden sticks locking it, with ring-like marks on top.

Open 关 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

系 is made by putting together 手 (hand) and 糸 (silk).

Open 系 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 1HSK 2.0 Level 11000 Most Frequent Chinese WordsGreetings & Politeness2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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