Signification
Response to an apology or minor issue.
Contexte culturel
Czechs value 'klid' (peace/quiet) and often use 'To nic' to avoid making a scene in public. It's part of a broader cultural trait of downplaying problems. In Slovakia, the phrase is identical ('To nič'). The cultural usage is very similar, though Slovaks are sometimes perceived as slightly more expressive with their apologies. There is a shared 'Habsburg' politeness in the region where minimizing a social error is seen as more polite than making a big deal out of the apology. Younger Czechs often replace 'To nic' with 'V poho' or 'Neva' (short for 'Nevadí' - it doesn't matter) in texts.
The Shrug
Pair 'To nic' with a small shrug and a smile to look 100% like a local.
Don't use for 'You're welcome'
If someone says 'Děkuji' (Thank you), don't say 'To nic.' Say 'Prosím.'
Signification
Response to an apology or minor issue.
The Shrug
Pair 'To nic' with a small shrug and a smile to look 100% like a local.
Don't use for 'You're welcome'
If someone says 'Děkuji' (Thank you), don't say 'To nic.' Say 'Prosím.'
The 'Ale' prefix
Adding 'Ale' (But) at the beginning—'Ale to nic'—makes it sound even more friendly and dismissive of the problem.
Stoicism
Czechs appreciate it when you don't make a big deal out of their small mistakes. 'To nic' is the perfect tool for this.
Teste-toi
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: Promiň, zapomněl jsem ti koupit ten lístek. B: ________, koupím si ho sám.
'To nic' is the perfect way to dismiss a minor mistake like forgetting a ticket.
In which situation would you NOT say 'To nic'?
Choose the incorrect situation:
'To nic' is only for minor issues. A car crash is too serious for this phrase.
Fill in the missing word to make the phrase more emphatic.
To nic ______, to se prostě stává.
'To nic není' is the full, more emphatic version of the phrase.
Which of these is a more formal version of 'To nic'?
Formal alternative:
'To je v pořádku' (That is in order) is the standard formal way to say 'It's okay.'
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Ways to say 'No Problem'
Casual
- • To nic
- • V poho
- • Neva
Neutral
- • Nic se nestalo
- • To nic není
Formal
- • To je v pořádku
- • To nevadí
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesA: Promiň, zapomněl jsem ti koupit ten lístek. B: ________, koupím si ho sám.
'To nic' is the perfect way to dismiss a minor mistake like forgetting a ticket.
Choose the incorrect situation:
'To nic' is only for minor issues. A car crash is too serious for this phrase.
To nic ______, to se prostě stává.
'To nic není' is the full, more emphatic version of the phrase.
Formal alternative:
'To je v pořádku' (That is in order) is the standard formal way to say 'It's okay.'
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's very polite for minor things. It only becomes rude if used sarcastically for a major problem.
It's grammatically okay but sounds like a literal translation from English. 'To nic' is much more natural.
'To nic' is usually a response to an apology. 'Nevadí' means 'It doesn't matter' and can be used more broadly.
Yes, if they make a tiny mistake (like a typo). If they apologize for something big, use 'To je v pořádku.'
It's always a 'ts' sound, like at the end of 'cats.' Never a 'k' or 's' sound.
Yes, 'To nic nebylo' (That was nothing), but 'To nic' is used even for things that just happened.
No, you say 'Promiň.' The *other* person says 'To nic.'
Yes, very frequently in dialogue to show a character is easy-going.
Say 'To nic' with a smile. It means 'I'm fine, don't worry.'
Almost! In Polish, it's 'To nic.'
Expressions liées
Nic se nestalo
synonymNothing happened
To je v pohodě
similarThat's in cool/fine
Nevadí
similarIt doesn't matter
Není zač
contrastDon't mention it / You're welcome
To nic není
builds onThat is nothing
