Signification
I don't have a preference; it makes no difference to me.
Contexte culturel
In German business culture, 'einerlei' can be a sign of a 'team player' who doesn't sweat the small stuff, but it should never be used for core KPIs. Austrians might use 'einerlei' in a slightly more melodic way, often paired with 'eh' (Das ist mir eh einerlei). In Swiss German, you might hear 'gleich' or 'egal' more often, but 'einerlei' is understood in formal High German contexts. The phrase is deeply embedded in 19th-century German literature to show a character's stoicism or world-weariness.
Sound more native
Use 'völlig' or 'ganz' to emphasize: 'Das ist mir völlig einerlei.' It adds a nice rhythmic flow to your sentence.
Don't be too indifferent
If you say 'einerlei' too often in a conversation, you might seem passive-aggressive or bored. Mix it up with 'Das überlasse ich dir' (I leave that to you).
Signification
I don't have a preference; it makes no difference to me.
Sound more native
Use 'völlig' or 'ganz' to emphasize: 'Das ist mir völlig einerlei.' It adds a nice rhythmic flow to your sentence.
Don't be too indifferent
If you say 'einerlei' too often in a conversation, you might seem passive-aggressive or bored. Mix it up with 'Das überlasse ich dir' (I leave that to you).
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct dative pronoun.
Ob wir gewinnen oder verlieren, ist ____ (to me) einerlei.
The phrase 'jemandem einerlei sein' always requires the dative case.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct option:
'Einerlei' is used as a predicate adjective with 'sein' and a dative object.
Complete the dialogue with the most appropriate phrase.
A: Möchtest du lieber ins Kino oder ins Theater? B: ________, such du etwas aus.
This is the standard way to express lack of preference in a choice.
Match the phrase to the correct context.
Where would you most likely hear 'Das ist mir einerlei'?
'Einerlei' is used for low-stakes decisions where neutrality is appropriate.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Indifference Levels
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesOb wir gewinnen oder verlieren, ist ____ (to me) einerlei.
The phrase 'jemandem einerlei sein' always requires the dative case.
Choose the correct option:
'Einerlei' is used as a predicate adjective with 'sein' and a dative object.
A: Möchtest du lieber ins Kino oder ins Theater? B: ________, such du etwas aus.
This is the standard way to express lack of preference in a choice.
Where would you most likely hear 'Das ist mir einerlei'?
'Einerlei' is used for low-stakes decisions where neutrality is appropriate.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
3 questionsSlightly, but it's still very much in use in formal and neutral contexts. It's not 'dead' like some other archaic terms.
No, you can't say 'Er ist mir einerlei' to mean 'I don't like him'. You would say 'Er ist mir gleichgültig'.
'Egal' is casual; 'einerlei' is more sophisticated and neutral. Use 'einerlei' with your boss and 'egal' with your friends.
Expressions liées
das ist mir egal
synonymIt's all the same to me (casual).
das ist mir gleichgültig
synonymI am indifferent to that.
das ist mir schnuppe
synonymI don't care at all (slang).
gehupft wie gesprungen
similarIt's six of one and half a dozen of the other.
