German · Greetings & Essentials
"It doesn't matter" in German: das macht nichts / egal
das macht nichts / egal
It doesn't matter in German is das macht nichts or egal. Das macht nichts softens a mistake; egal can sound cooler or more dismissive depending on tone.
Spilled coffee
Oh nein — sorry! Das macht nichts.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce das macht nichts / egal
Say it
dass makht nikhts / ey-GAHL
/das maxt nɪçts/ /eˈɡaːl/
dass makht nikhts / ey-GAHL. Macht with soft ch; egal stress second syllable.
"It doesn't matter" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| das macht nichts | it doesn't matter / no worries Reassuring. | Reassuring. |
| egal | doesn't matter / whatever Short; tone matters. | Short; tone matters. |
| Das ist egal | that doesn't matter Fuller egal. | Fuller egal. |
| Kein Problem | no problem Related softener. | Related softener. |
How to use das macht nichts / egal in real life
- 1Spilled coffee
Oh nein — sorry! Das macht nichts.
Oh no — sorry! It doesn't matter.
Das macht nichts.
- 2Choosing a movie
Horror oder Komödie? Egal, Hauptsache zusammen.
Horror or comedy? Doesn't matter, as long as we're together.
Egal alternative.
- 3Late tram
Wir kommen fünf Minuten später. Das macht nichts.
We'll arrive five minutes later. It doesn't matter.
Schedule shrug.
Mistakes English speakers make with das macht nichts / egal
Incorrect: Das macht nicht.
Correct: Das macht nichts.
Need nichts, not nicht.
Incorrect: Es matters nicht.
Correct: Das macht nichts. / Egal.
Use the German phrases, not English matter.
Good to know
Das macht nichts is kind after small accidents. Egal with a flat tone can feel cold — smile or add schon gut if you mean to comfort.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Friend forgets the wine
ChatPal
Ich habe den Wein vergessen.
I forgot the wine.
You
Das macht nichts — wir haben noch Saft.
It doesn't matter — we still have juice.
ChatPal
Wirklich egal?
Really doesn't matter?
You
Ja, egal. Komm rein.
Yes, doesn't matter. Come in.
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 German
How do you say it doesn't matter?
Das macht nichts or egal.
Which is softer?
Das macht nichts usually sounds kinder.
Whatever?
Egal — watch your tone.
No problem?
Kein Problem is a close cousin.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
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- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
