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A2How to saynye vázhna

How to say “It doesn’t matter” in Russian

Three phrases, and one of them doubles as “I don’t mind” — which makes it very useful and occasionally rude.

Quick answer

Не ва́жно.

nye vázhna — plus всё равно́, the phrase that also means “I don’t mind”

The options

Не ва́жно.It doesn’t matter.
Всё равно́.It’s all the same. · I don’t mind.
Мне всё равно́.I don’t mind. · I don’t care.
Не име́ет значе́ния.It is of no importance. — formal
Ла́дно, не ва́жно.Never mind, forget it.

всё равно́, two ways

As an answer to a choice — Чай и́ли ко́фе? — Всё равно́. — it means “either is fine”. With мне and the wrong tone, Мне всё равно́ can land as “I couldn’t care less”. Softening it with мне всё равно́, выбира́й ты — I don’t mind, you choose — removes the edge.

The other всё равно́

It also means “anyway, all the same” in the middle of a sentence: Я всё равно́ пойду́ — I’ll go anyway. Same two words, completely different job, and context is the only clue.

What you hear back

Как хо́чешь.As you like.
Тогда́ я вы́беру.Then I’ll choose.
Хорошо́, забы́ли.Fine, forget it.

Typical mistakes

Не ва́жный.

Не ва́жно.

A judgement takes the neuter adverb.

Мне не ва́жно — meaning “I don’t mind”

Мне всё равно́.

The fixed phrase for indifference is всё равно́.

Check yourself

“Tea or coffee?” — “Either is fine.”

Всё равно́ — either will do.

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