Breakdown of méiguānxi, wǒmen kěyǐ děng.
我们wǒmen
we
可以kěyǐ
can
等děng
to wait
没关系méiguānxi
it does not matter; it is okay
Questions & Answers about méiguānxi, wǒmen kěyǐ děng.
What does 没关系 mean here, and is it always translated as no problem?
In this sentence, 没关系 means something like it’s okay, no problem, or that’s alright.
It is a very common phrase and can be used:
- to reassure someone after a small problem
- to respond to an apology
- to say that something is not a big issue
So in 没关系，我们可以等。, it softens the situation: It’s okay; we can wait.
Literally, 关系 means relation / connection / concern, so 没关系 originally has the sense of it doesn’t matter or it’s not an issue.
Why is it 没关系 and not 不关系?
In Mandarin, 没 is often used to negate:
- having
- existence
- completion
- certain fixed expressions
没关系 is a fixed expression, so you should learn it as a whole phrase.
Even though 不 is also a negation word, 不关系 is not how native speakers say this. The natural expression is 没关系.
A useful shortcut:
- 没关系 = it doesn’t matter / no problem
- just memorize it as one chunk
How do I pronounce 没关系 naturally?