As a society that values harmony and peace over confrontation, there is a general perception that Japanese people tend to say more polite phrases than most. Words like “arigatou gozaimasu (thank you),” and “sumimasen (excuse me)” pop up all the time — and “no problem” is in Japanese one of the go-to phrases you’ll hear everywhere, too.
The most basic way to say “no problem” in Japanese is 問題ない (mondai nai). However, Japanese has taken this phrase to a whole new level, and you’ll notice that there are several variations depending on the situation, many of which don’t even literally mean “no problem.” Depending on who you’re talking to, whether it’s a coworker asking for a favor at work or a teacher giving instructions at school, you might want to use a version that is more polite or casual.
Check out all the ways to say “No problem!” in Japanese. The next time someone bumps into you and apologizes, you can say something besides the usual “daijoubu desu!”
1. 問題はありません (Mondai wa arimasen)
Degree of politeness: Formal
問題はありません (mondai wa arimasen) is the most basic way to say “no problem” in Japanese. It literally translates to “there is no problem.”
The word 問題 (mondai) means “problem” or “issue.” はありません (wa arimasen) is a negative expression used in Japanese to indicate that something does not exist or is not present, and it is commonly used with nouns.
This is a textbook-perfect example of the phrase “no problem” in Japanese, ticking all the correct boxes. It’s also probably the safest choice to use if you’re speaking with strangers or people you don’t know well.
この仕事、今日中に終わらせられますか？
Kono shigoto, kyoujuu ni owarasaremasu ka?
Can you finish this work by today?”
はい、問題はありません。
Hai, mondai wa arimasen.
Yes, no problem.
The more you get used to speaking Japanese, the more you’ll start to prefer other variations of 問題はありません (mondai wa arimasen) to sound more natural, which we’ll get to shortly!
2. 問題ない (Mondai nai)
Degree of politeness: Casual
Mondai nai is the literal way to say “No problem.” 問題 (もんだい) means ‘problem’ and ない means ‘there is not’. Do note that ない is spoken in casual speech, and it should be replaced by ありません (arimasen) to be used in formal situations.
You might also notice that we’ve omitted the particle は (wa). In Japanese, は marks the topic of a sentence, but in casual speech, it’s often dropped when the meaning is clear from context. It’s somewhat similar to English, where in informal speech we might shorten “Where are you going?” to “Where you going?”
Keep in mind that this is a casual form, so don’t use it when speaking to clients or your boss! You can still use it with strangers, depending on whether you want to sound formal and distant or casual and friendly.
For example, when a friend asks you to help with his homework, you can say:
この問題、手伝ってくれる？
Kono mondai, tetsudatte kureru?
Can you help me with this problem?
うん、問題ないよ。
Un, mondai nai yo.
Yeah, no problem!
3. 問題ございません (Mondai gozaimasen)
Degree of politeness: Polite
問題ございません (mondai gozaimasen) is the formal and very polite way to say “no problem” in Japanese. The word 問題 (mondai) means “problem,” and ございません (gozaimasen) is the extremely polite negative form of ある (aru), meaning “does not exist.” Together, the phrase literally translates to “there is no problem” and is commonly used in formal situations, such as when speaking with clients, customers, or your boss. This makes it the safest choice when you want to sound respectful and professional.
However, there’s a catch: using it can sometimes make you sound overly stiff or formal. Unless you’re in a very formal context like customer service, 問題はありません (mondai wa arimasen) is usually sufficient.
4. 大丈夫 (Daijoubu)
If you watch anime, you have probably heard this phrase over a thousand times. 大丈夫 (daijoubu) means “It’s okay” or “It’s not a problem” as a response to someone else. For example, you can use it when a waiter offers water at a restaurant, and you want to reject them politely. Adding です desu to the end makes 大丈夫 more formal.
お水はいかがでしょうか。
Omizu wa ikaga deshouka?
Would you like (a glass of) water?
だいじょうぶです！
Daijoubu desu!
It’s alright!
5. 構わない (Kamawanai)
Degree of politeness: Casual or formal
構わない (kamawanai) is also another casual way to express no problem in Japanese. It comes from the verb 構う (kamau), which means “to mind,” “to care about,” or “to be concerned with.”
If you conjugate kamau into a negative form, the phrase translates to “It doesn’t matter”. 構わない is mainly used in informal conversations, while かまわない is used in informal situations.
You can also add the Japanese adverb ぜんぜん or まったくto tell the listener that it is not a problem at all.
窓を閉めてもいいですか。
Mado o shimetemo ii desu ka.
Can I open the window?
全然構いませんよ。
Zenzen kamaimasen yo.
It doesn’t matter at all.
To make it more formal, you can also use かまいません (kamaimasen), which is the polite version of 構わない (kamawanai) and is appropriate in more respectful or professional situations.
The difference between 問題ない (mondai nai) and 構わない (kamawanai) is in their focus: 問題ない emphasizes that the situation is fine or problem-free, while 構わない emphasizes your personal attitude, meaning “I don’t mind” or “it’s okay with me.” In other words, 構わない highlights more of the speaker’s personal perspective, while 問題ない highlights the situation.
6. 全然いいよ (Zenzen ii yo)
Degree of politeness: Casual
ぜんぜん is used to emphasize that something is not at all. Usually, we associate it with negative expressions, but in this case, 全然いいよ (zenzen ii yo) bbecomes casual phrase that means “It’s totally fine” or “No problem at all.”
It is entirely acceptable to use it for affirmative words like いいよ (ii yo). This helps make a conversation more casual.
ごめんね。財布を忘れた。本当に頼んでくれた。
Gomen ne. Saifu wo wasureta. Hontou ni tanonde kureta.
I’m sorry. I forgot my wallet. You really helped me.
ぜんぜんいいよ。
Zenzen ii yo.
No problem.
7. オーケー (Ookee)
Degree of politeness: Casual
It’s a Japanese loanword from the English “Okay.” When you’re reminded to do something, you can reply by saying “hai” (はい), which is the most basic way to give affirmation or オーケー. Be careful, though. While it’s completely okay to use the word to your boss in English, saying “オーケーです!” sounds informal. Sure, it sounds upbeat and cheerful, but use it with caution.
Often, it is written simply as OK. You’ll find the word everywhere: in advertisements, takeout corners, and menus.
テイクアウト、イートインどちらでもOK!
Teiku auto, iito in dochira de mo oke!
Take out or eat-in, either is okay!
8. 気にしないで (Ki ni shinaide)
Degree of politeness: Casual
It’s the informal form of 気にしないでください. 気にしないでください breaks down like this:
気 means “mind” or “feeling.” に is a particle showing the target of an action, so here it’s like “about” or “toward.” しないで is the negative form of する (“to do”) combined with で to make it a request not to do something. ください means “please,” making the whole phrase polite.
Altogether, it literally means “Please don’t mind (it)” or “Don’t worry about it.” It’s used to reassure someone or tell them not to be concerned, commonly spoken among friends, family, or people of the same social level.
This phrase assures someone that what you did was not a problem and that they do not have to concern themselves with it. Adding ね (ne) at the end makes it extra casual.
落としちゃってすみませんでした！
Otoshichatte sumimasen deshita!
I’m sorry that I dropped it!
いいよ。気にしないで。
Iie. Ki ni shinaide.
It’s okay. Please don’t worry about it.
9. いえいえ (Ieie)
Degree of politeness: Casual
This phrase literally translates to “No, no.” Japanese people are known for their humility. Rather than accepting a compliment or thank you, they will instead deny it as a way to be polite. When you say “You’re welcome”, it can appear as if you’re self-congratulating. We use いえいえ to let them know that they don’t need to thank us.
田中先生のおかげで、テストに合格しました。ありがとうございました！
Tanaka-sensei no okage de, tesuto ni goukaku shimashita. Arigatou gozaimashita!
Because of Tanaka-sensei, I passed the test. Thank you!
いえいえ。
Ie ie.
Not at all!
10. ドンマイ (Donmai)
Degree of politeness: Casual
This is Japanese slang that you may have heard often in sports anime. ドンマイ is actually a loanword taken from the English “Don’t mind”.
Japanese often adapts foreign phrases in a way that makes them shorter and easier to say, dropping auxiliary parts like “do” or “-ing.” So instead of literally saying “don’t mind do” (donmaindo), it became just どんまい, which is catchy, natural, and easy to use in casual speech.
Characters will use it to motivate someone when they feel down or make mistakes on behalf of their team. For example, when your teammate misses a throw at a basketball match or kicks a ball out, you will say, “ドンマイ” to lift their spirit up.
ドンマイ is actually a loanword taken from the English “Don’t mind”.
やばい！ ピッチャーがホームランを打たれた！
Yabai! Pitchaa ga hoomu ran o utareta!
Oh no! The pitcher hit home run!
ドンマイ！
Donmai!
Don’t mind it!
11. いいよ (Ii Yo)
Degree of politeness: Casual
いいよ is the informal version of いいですよ (ii desu yo), which was explained above in the “Polite Words” section. The word いい is versatile and can mean “good” or “fine.” In this case, it conveys the meaning “that’s fine” or “go ahead.”
It’s often used in response to questions asking for permission or confirmation, and in this context, it can be understood as “sure” or “no problem.”
ペン、借りてもいい？
Pen, karite mo ii?
Can I borrow your pen?
うん、いいよ。
Un, ii yo.
Yes, no problem!
Fun fact: In real spoken Japanese, people can say いいですね (ii desu ne), but often they say it so quickly in casual conversation that it sounds like いいすね (iisu ne). This is an intentional shortening to make the expression feel more relaxed and natural.
12. いいとも (Ii tomo)
Degree of politeness: Casual
いいとも is used to express positive affirmation. However, this term is strictly casual, and you will never see it paired with です (desu) or used in formal situations.
That said, いいとも is not very commonly used by native Japanese speakers compared to いいよ (ii yo), explained above. Essentially, いいとも is a casual way of saying いいです (ii desu yo) when you agree with someone’s suggestion or when granting permission.
今夜、一緒に映画に行かない？
Kon’ya, issho ni eiga ni ikanai?
Do you want to go to a movie tonight?”
いいとも！
Iitomo!
Sounds good!
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FAQs
How to say "No Problem" in Japanese?
Mondai nai is the literal way to say “No problem.” 問題 (もんだい) means ‘problem’ and ない means ‘there is not’. Do note that ない is spoken in casual speech and it should be replaced by ありません (arimasen) to be used in formal situations.
How do you say “no problem” in Japanese?
A common phrase is 大丈夫です (daijoubu desu), which literally means “It’s okay” or “No problem.”
When should I use 大丈夫です (daijoubu desu)?
Use it to reassure someone that something is fine or to respond politely when someone thanks you.
Are there casual ways to say “no problem”?
Yes, you can say 大丈夫 (daijoubu) with friends or 問題ない (mondai nai) to mean “no issue.”
Are there other expressions similar to “no problem”?
You can also use 構いません (kamai masen) for “It doesn’t matter” or 気にしないで (ki ni shinaide) for “Don’t worry about it.”
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