Ever found yourself in a conversation, about to say something, and then decide against it? Or maybe you've had a minor misunderstanding and just want to brush it off? In English, we often say “never mind.” But what about in French?

Just like in English, there isn't just one way to express this idea in French. From casual shrugs to more formal dismissals, French offers a rich variety of phrases to convey “never mind.”

Let’s dive into 9 different ways you can say “never mind” in French, so you'll always have the perfect phrase at your fingertips!

The standard 'it's nothing' or 'don't mention it' – Ce n'est rien / Il n'y a pas de quoi

The standard 'it's nothing' or 'don't mention it' – Ce n'est rien / Il n'y a pas de quoi

Ce n'est rien and Il n'y a pas de quoi are two common French expressions used to say 'you're welcome', 'it's nothing', or 'don't mention it'.

Ce n'est rien literally translates to 'it is nothing'. You use it to downplay the effort you made, implying that what you did was so minor it doesn't warrant thanks.

This phrase is quite versatile and can be used in most informal and semi-formal situations when someone thanks you for a small favor or act of kindness.

Il n'y a pas de quoi literally means 'there is nothing for which (to be thanked)'. It's a slightly more formal or polite way of saying 'you're welcome' or 'don't mention it'.

This expression conveys that there's no need to thank you, often used after a more significant favor or when you want to be particularly gracious.

While both mean 'you're welcome', Ce n'est rien is generally more casual, whereas Il n'y a pas de quoi carries a touch more formality or politeness, making it suitable for a wider range of situations.

A very common and informal alternative to both is De rien, which simply means 'of nothing'. It's widely used in everyday conversations, especially among friends and family.

Don't worry too much about choosing the 'perfect' phrase. In most casual interactions, Ce n'est rien or De rien will be perfectly understood and appreciated. For slightly more formal contexts, Il n'y a pas de quoi is an excellent choice.

💡 * "Merci pour ton aide !" "Ce n'est rien !" (Thanks for your help! "It's nothing!")

• "Je te remercie d'être venu." "Il n'y a pas de quoi." (I thank you for coming. "Don't mention it.")
• "Merci beaucoup pour le cadeau." "Oh, ce n'est rien, vraiment." (Thanks a lot for the gift. "Oh, it's nothing, really.")
• "J'apprécie ton soutien." "Il n'y a pas de quoi, c'est normal." (I appreciate your support. "You're welcome, it's normal.")
• "Merci d'avoir réparé mon vélo." "De rien !" (Thanks for fixing my bike. "You're welcome!")

The informal 'drop it' or 'forget it' – Laisse tomber

The informal “drop it” or “forget it” – Laisse tomber

Laisse tomber is a common, informal French expression that directly translates to “let fall” but is used to mean “drop it,” “forget it,” or “never mind.”

You'll often hear Laisse tomber when someone is giving up on an idea, a task, or an argument, implying that it's no longer worth pursuing.

It can also be used to dismiss a question or a topic, often because the explanation is too complicated, or the speaker doesn't want to elaborate.

While often neutral, Laisse tomber can sometimes carry a tone of frustration, annoyance, or resignation, depending on the context and the speaker's intonation.

Remember that Laisse tomber is quite informal. In more formal settings, or when addressing someone you don't know well, you might opt for phrases like Ce n'est pas grave (It's not serious/It's okay) or Oubliez ça (Forget that).

The phrase uses the imperative form of laisser (to let) and tomber (to fall). For plural or formal vous, it becomes Laissez tomber.

💡 * J'ai essayé de comprendre, mais laisse tomber. (I tried to understand, but forget it.)

• Qu'est-ce que tu voulais dire? Oh, laisse tomber, ce n'est pas important. (What did you want to say? Oh, never mind, it's not important.)
• On ne trouvera jamais la solution. Laisse tomber. (We'll never find the solution. Drop it.)
• Il est en colère, mais laisse tomber, il se calmera. (He's angry, but just ignore it, he'll calm down.)

The common 'it's not serious' or 'it's not a big deal' – Ce n'est pas grave

The common “it's not serious” or “it's not a big deal” – Ce n'est pas grave is an incredibly versatile and frequently used French phrase.

Literally translating to “it is not serious,” Ce n'est pas grave (or its informal variant C'est pas grave) is used to convey “it's not a big deal,” “it's okay,” “never mind,” or “don't worry about it.”

You'll hear it constantly in everyday conversations when something minor goes wrong, and you want to reassure someone that there's no need for concern or alarm. It downplays the severity of a situation.

It's also a common response when someone apologizes for a small mistake or inconvenience. Instead of holding a grudge, a simple Ce n'est pas grave signals forgiveness and understanding.

Just like many other French phrases, Ce n'est pas grave is often shortened in spoken, informal French to C'est pas grave. The meaning remains exactly the same, but the tone is more casual.

While similar in spirit to “no problem” (pas de problème), Ce n'est pas grave specifically addresses the seriousness or impact of an event, rather than just the absence of a problem. It conveys a sense of reassurance that things are still alright.

Mastering Ce n'est pas grave is key to sounding natural in French. It's a phrase of kindness and understanding that helps smooth over minor bumps in daily interactions and is a staple in French communication.

💡 * J'ai oublié d'acheter du pain. Ce n'est pas grave, nous en avons déjà. (I forgot to buy bread. It's not serious, we already have some.)

• Désolé, je suis en retard. Ce n'est pas grave, entre ! (Sorry, I'm late. It's okay, come in!)
• Oh non, j'ai fait une petite erreur. Ce n'est pas grave, ça arrive ! (Oh no, I made a small mistake. It's not a big deal, it happens!)
• Je ne peux pas venir à la fête ce soir. Ah, ce n'est pas grave, une prochaine fois ! (I can't come to the party tonight. Ah, it's okay, next time!)
• Mon téléphone est tombé, mais il n'est pas cassé. Ce n'est pas grave, heureusement ! (My phone fell, but it's not broken. It's not serious, luckily!)

The direct 'forget that' – Oublie ça

The phrase Oublie ça directly translates to 'Forget that' or 'Forget it' in English.

It's used to tell someone to dismiss something, to not worry about it, or to move on from a particular topic or event. It conveys a sense of finality or a desire to drop the subject.

Oublie ça is formed from the imperative of the verb oublier (to forget) and the demonstrative pronoun ça (that/it). The e ending of oublie is kept because ça follows it.

This expression is generally informal and quite direct. While not necessarily rude, its bluntness can vary depending on the context and intonation. It's often used among friends or in casual situations.

💡 * Oublie ça, ce n'est pas important. (Forget it, it's not important.)

• Il a dit quelque chose de stupide, mais oublie ça. (He said something stupid, but forget it.)
• Ne t'inquiète pas pour l'erreur, oublie ça. (Don't worry about the mistake, forget it.)
• On ne va pas en parler, oublie ça. (We're not going to talk about it, forget it.)
• C'est du passé, oublie ça. (It's in the past, forget it.)

The 'it doesn't matter' or 'it's of little importance' – Peu importe

The phrase peu importe is a highly versatile and common expression in French, conveying the idea of 'it doesn't matter' or 'it's of little importance'.

Peu importe literally translates to 'little matters' or 'little imports,' but its practical meaning is closer to 'it doesn't matter,' 'it's irrelevant,' or even 'whatever.'

You'll often hear peu importe used as a standalone phrase or at the beginning of a clause to express indifference about a choice, outcome, or detail. It sets a tone of unconcern.

When followed by que, peu importe requires the subjunctive mood for the subsequent verb. This construction is used to express indifference about a particular condition or action, as in 'it doesn't matter that...'

The essence of peu importe is to convey that something is not significant enough to warrant concern or a strong preference. It's a way to shrug off a detail gracefully.

Due to its flexibility and directness, peu importe is an extremely frequent expression in everyday French conversations, suitable for both casual and more formal contexts where indifference is appropriate.

💡 * Peu importe le prix, je le veux. (No matter the price, I want it.)

• Quel jour tu préfères ? Peu importe. (Which day do you prefer? It doesn't matter / Whatever.)
• Peu importe que tu sois en retard, l'important est que tu viennes. (It doesn't matter that you're late, the important thing is that you come.)
• Peu importe ce qu'il dit, je ne le crois pas. (No matter what he says, I don't believe him.)
• Peu importe la difficulté, nous y arriverons. (Regardless of the difficulty, we will succeed.)

The 'too bad' or 'never mind' when something can't be helped – Tant pis

The French expression Tant pis directly translates to something like “so much the worse” or “so much the pity.” In practice, it’s best understood as “too bad,” “never mind,” or “it can’t be helped.” It conveys a sense of resignation or mild disappointment when a situation is beyond control.

You use Tant pis when something unfortunate or undesirable happens, but there’s nothing you can do to change it. It implies acceptance of a minor setback or a situation that isn’t ideal but isn’t catastrophic either. It's often used when you've missed an opportunity or a plan falls through.

Tant pis carries a tone of resignation, often implying a shrug of the shoulders. It’s less strong than expressing deep regret (like Quel dommage ! – 'What a pity!') and more about acknowledging a situation and moving on. It can sometimes sound a bit dismissive, depending on the context and tone of voice.

You can also use Tant pis with pour followed by a pronoun or a noun to specify who or what it's 'too bad for.' For example, Tant pis pour lui means 'Too bad for him,' or Tant pis pour le concert means 'Too bad about the concert.'

In essence, Tant pis is your go-to phrase for accepting minor misfortunes with a sense of 'it is what it is.' It’s a very common and useful expression in everyday French conversation.

💡 * J'ai raté le bus, tant pis !(I missed the bus, too bad!)

• Il pleut, tant pis, on restera à la maison.(It's raining, never mind, we'll stay home.)
• Tu ne viens pas à la fête ? Tant pis pour toi !(You're not coming to the party? Too bad for you!)
• On n'a plus de pain. Tant pis, on mangera des pâtes.(We don't have any more bread. Never mind, we'll eat pasta.)

The reassuring 'no worries' or 'no problem' – Pas de souci

In French, when you want to express "no worries" or "no problem" in a reassuring way, the phrase you're looking for is Pas de souci.

Pas de souci is a very common and informal expression, widely used in everyday conversations. It conveys a sense of reassurance, indicating that something is not an issue or that there's nothing to worry about.

While Pas de souci is often used on its own, you might also hear Pas de problème (no problem) or Il n'y a pas de souci (there is no worry/problem), which is a slightly more formal version. Souci itself means 'worry' or 'concern'.

💡 * "Merci de ton aide!" "Pas de souci!" (Thanks for your help! No worries!)

• "Désolé, je suis en retard." "Pas de souci, j'ai aussi eu un imprévu." (Sorry, I'm late. No problem, I also had an unexpected issue.)
• "Tu peux me prêter ton stylo?" "Oui, pas de souci." (Can you lend me your pen? Yes, no problem.)
• "Je peux t'appeler plus tard?" "Bien sûr, pas de souci!" (Can I call you later? Of course, no problem!)
• "Ne t'inquiète pas pour ça, pas de souci." (Don't worry about that, no worries.)

The emphatic 'it's nothing at all' – Ce n'est rien du tout

The emphatic 'it's nothing at all' – Ce n'est rien du tout

When you want to strongly convey that something is absolutely nothing, or not a problem at all, the French phrase Ce n'est rien du tout is your go-to expression. It translates literally to 'It is nothing at all.'

The key to its emphatic nature lies in du tout. While Ce n'est rien simply means 'It's nothing,' adding du tout intensifies it, leaving no room for doubt. It's often used to reassure someone or downplay an inconvenience with strong conviction.

This phrase is perfect for situations where you want to dismiss a worry, a small injury, or a minor inconvenience. For instance, if someone apologizes for a slight bump, you might say, 'Oh, ce n'est rien du tout!' to reassure them.

💡 * Merci pour ton aide! - Ce n'est rien du tout! (Thanks for your help! - It's nothing at all!)

• Excuse-moi, je t'ai fait mal? - Non, non, ce n'est rien du tout. (Excuse me, did I hurt you? - No, no, it's nothing at all.)
• Je suis désolé pour le dérangement. - Ce n'est rien du tout, ne vous inquiétez pas. (I'm sorry for the inconvenience. - It's nothing at all, don't worry.)
• Tu es sûr que ça va? - Oui, ce n'est rien du tout. (Are you sure you're okay? - Yes, it's nothing at all.)

The polite 'don't worry' – Ne t'inquiète pas / Ne vous inquiétez pas

The most common and polite ways to say "don't worry" in French are Ne t'inquiète pas (informal, singular) and Ne vous inquiétez pas (formal, singular or plural). These phrases are essential for comforting someone or reassuring them.

The choice between Ne t'inquiète pas and Ne vous inquiétez pas depends on the level of formality and the number of people you are addressing. Use Ne t'inquiète pas when speaking to a single person you know well (a friend, family member, child). Use Ne vous inquiétez pas when addressing someone formally (an elder, a stranger, a superior) or when speaking to multiple people.

These phrases come from the reflexive verb s'inquiéter, which means 'to worry oneself' or 'to be worried'. The negative imperative form is used here, literally translating to 'Don't worry yourself'.

While Ne t'inquiète pas and Ne vous inquiétez pas are widely used, you might also hear the very informal T'inquiète pas (dropping the 'ne') or simply T'inquiète in casual conversations among close friends. However, for general politeness and clarity, sticking to the full forms is recommended.

💡 *Ne t'inquiète pas, tout ira bien. (Don't worry, everything will be fine.)
*Ne vous inquiétez pas pour moi, je vais bien. (Don't worry about me, I'm fine.)
*T'inquiète, j'arrive! (Don't worry, I'm coming! - very informal)
*Ne vous inquiétez pas, Madame, nous allons résoudre le problème. (Don't worry, Madam, we will solve the problem.)
*Il m'a dit: "Ne t'inquiète pas, je m'en occupe." (He told me: "Don't worry, I'll take care of it.")

Are there other ways to say 'never mind' in French?

Are there other ways to say “never mind” in French?

Our list features the most common ways to say “never mind” in French, covering various situations from casual to more formal. However, the French language is rich with nuances, and you might encounter other expressions depending on the context, region, or even the generation speaking.

To deepen your understanding, you can explore online resources by searching for 'comment dire peu importe en ___' or 'expressions pour dire laisse tomber en ___' followed by a specific Francophone country or region to discover local variations.

When you come across new expressions for 'never mind,' always verify their definitions and observe how native speakers use them in different contexts before incorporating them into your own vocabulary. This ensures you use them appropriately.

Immerse yourself in French media! Pay close attention as you read, watch, and listen to French films, series, podcasts, and books. You'll naturally pick up on subtle differences and new expressions for conveying 'never mind' in various situations.

For a comprehensive list of related phrases and their nuances, the WordReference entry for 'peu importe' or 'laisse tomber' can be an excellent starting point. It often provides multiple translations and usage examples.

I hope this article has clarified the various ways to say 'never mind' in French. To conclude, here’s a thought that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of 'never mind': Il faut laisser aller les choses. (One must let things go.)