French · Greetings & Essentials
"It doesn't matter" in French: ce n'est pas grave / peu importe
ce n'est pas grave / peu importe
It doesn't matter in French is ce n'est pas grave or peu importe — either counts. Ce n'est pas grave softens mistakes; peu importe shrugs off a choice.
Friend spills water
T'inquiète — ce n'est pas grave.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce ce n'est pas grave / peu importe
Say it
suh nay pah GRAHV / puh am-PORT
/sə nɛ pa ɡʁav/ /pø ɛ̃.pɔʁt/
Ce n'est pas grave: suh nay pah GRAHV. Peu importe: puh am-PORT. Soft, reassuring tone.
"It doesn't matter" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| ce n'est pas grave | it's no big deal Reassure after a mistake. | Reassure after a mistake. |
| peu importe | it doesn't matter Choice doesn't matter. | Choice doesn't matter. |
| c'est pas grave | no big deal Spoken drop of ne. | Spoken drop of ne. |
| ça n'a pas d'importance | it doesn't matter Slightly fuller. | Slightly fuller. |
How to use ce n'est pas grave / peu importe in real life
- 1Friend spills water
T'inquiète — ce n'est pas grave.
Don't worry—it's no big deal.
Ce n'est pas grave.
- 2Choosing a film
Peu importe, choisis toi.
It doesn't matter—you choose.
Peu importe.
- 3Late tram
On arrive dix minutes après, ce n'est pas grave.
We'll arrive ten minutes later; it's no big deal.
Time delay.
Mistakes English speakers make with ce n'est pas grave / peu importe
Incorrect: Ce n'est pas gravity.
Correct: Ce n'est pas grave.
Grave here means serious, not English gravity.
Incorrect: It doesn't matter français.
Correct: Peu importe. / Ce n'est pas grave.
Use one of the French headword options.
Good to know
Ce n'est pas grave is social oil in French — used constantly to downplay slips. Peu importe fits menus and plans. Neither replaces a sincere apology when something actually hurts someone.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
After a booking mix-up
ChatPal
J'ai réservé le mauvais jour…
I booked the wrong day…
You
Ce n'est pas grave, on change.
It's no big deal, we'll change it.
ChatPal
Vendredi ou samedi ?
Friday or Saturday?
You
Peu importe, les deux me vont.
It doesn't matter, both work for me.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"It doesn't matter" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "It doesn't matter" in French
How do you say it doesn't matter in French?
Ce n'est pas grave or peu importe.
Which should I use?
Ce n'est pas grave for mistakes; peu importe for choices.
Is c'est pas grave okay?
Yes in speech (ne dropped).
How do you pronounce grave?
GRAHV.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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