신경 쓰지 마세요.
singyeong sseuji maseyo.
Don't mind it.
Phrase in 30 Seconds
A polite way to tell someone 'Don't worry about it' or 'Never mind' when they feel bad or overthink.
- Means: Literally 'Don't use your nerves' on this matter.
- Used in: Dismissing small mistakes or declining unnecessary help politely.
- Don't confuse: Avoid using the informal '신경 꺼' with superiors; it's very rude.
Explanation at your level:
Signification
Used to tell someone not to worry or bother about something.
Contexte culturel
Koreans often use this phrase to minimize their own needs to avoid being a burden to others. It's a key part of 'social lubrication.' In a hierarchy, a superior says this to a subordinate to show they are 'cool' or 'forgiving,' which builds loyalty. On platforms like KakaoTalk, '신경 ㄴㄴ' is the ultimate way to tell friends 'it's all good' without being formal. Hosts use this to tell guests not to help with dishes or cleaning, emphasizing the guest's comfort.
The Smile Rule
Always say this with a slight smile to ensure it sounds like reassurance rather than a cold dismissal.
Watch the 'Kkeo'
Never use '신경 꺼' with people you aren't extremely close with. It's a friendship-ender if used wrongly.
Signification
Used to tell someone not to worry or bother about something.
The Smile Rule
Always say this with a slight smile to ensure it sounds like reassurance rather than a cold dismissal.
Watch the 'Kkeo'
Never use '신경 꺼' with people you aren't extremely close with. It's a friendship-ender if used wrongly.
Add '괜찮아요'
Pairing '{신경|神經} 쓰지 마세요' with '괜찮아요' (It's okay) makes you sound 100% more natural and kind.
The 'Nunchi' Connection
Using this phrase shows you have good 'nunchi' (social sense) because you recognize the other person's discomfort and act to fix it.
Teste-toi
Which phrase is most appropriate when a colleague apologizes for a small typo?
A: 오타가 있어서 죄송합니다. B: ________.
신경 쓰지 마세요 is the polite, standard way to dismiss a small mistake.
Fill in the blank with the correct Hanja-based word.
너무 (____) 쓰지 마세요. 건강에 안 좋아요.
The phrase is '{신경|神經} 쓰다'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
1. 신경 쓰지 마세요. 2. 신경 꺼.
'신경 꺼' is aggressive/informal, while '신경 쓰지 마세요' is polite.
Complete the dialogue politely.
가: 제가 좀 도와드릴까요? 나: 아니요, 바쁘신데 (________________).
This is a polite way to decline help when the other person is busy.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Don't Worry vs. Never Mind
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's not rude if you use the full polite form '{신경|神經} 쓰지 마세요' for a small thing, but '{신경|神經} 안 쓰셔도 됩니다' is safer and more professional.
'Never mind' can sometimes sound frustrated. '{신경|神經} 쓰지 마세요' is usually warmer and more focused on the other person's feelings.
Yes, if you say it sharply or use '신경 꺼,' it clearly communicates 'Mind your own business.'
Yes, it comes from {神經|神經}. Knowing the Hanja helps you connect it to other words like '신경질' (irritability).
You can say '저는 {신경|神經} 쓰지 마세요.'
It's a bit too light. For emotional pain, '걱정 마세요' or '다 잘 될 거예요' is better.
In texting, people just write '신경ㄴㄴ' or 'ㄴㄱㄴㄴ'.
It can, but it usually means 'You shouldn't care/worry.' To say 'I don't care,' you'd say '상관없어요.'
It's a metaphor for mental energy. Using nerves means you are paying close, perhaps stressful, attention.
Not exactly. You would say '제 일은 제가 알아서 하겠습니다' (I will take care of my own business).
Expressions liées
걱정 마세요
similarDon't worry
괜찮아요
similarIt's okay
신경 꺼
specialized formMind your own business
관심 없어요
contrastI'm not interested
잊어버리세요
builds onPlease forget it
Où l'utiliser
Spilling a drink
A: 어머, 죄송해요! 커피를 조금 쏟았어요.
B: 괜찮아요. {신경|神經} 쓰지 마세요. 제가 닦을게요.
Being late
A: 늦어서 정말 죄송합니다. 차가 너무 막혔어요.
B: 아니에요. {신경|神經} 쓰지 마세요. 이제 막 시작했어요.
Declining help
A: 짐이 많아 보이는데 도와드릴까요?
B: 괜찮습니다. {신경|神經} 쓰지 마세요. 혼자 할 수 있어요.
Dismissing a rumor
A: 사람들이 너에 대해 이상한 말을 해.
B: 그냥 하는 말이야. {신경|神經} 쓰지 마.
Correcting a mistake
A: 아, 제가 보고서에 오타를 냈네요. 다시 뽑아올까요?
B: 작은 오타니까 {신경|神經} 쓰지 마세요. 그냥 둘게요.
Texting a wrong number
A: 죄송합니다. 번호를 잘못 알았네요.
B: 네, {신경|神經} 쓰지 마세요. 좋은 하루 되세요.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Sin-gyeong' as 'Single Guy'. A single guy doesn't have to 'use' his energy on a partner. 'Sin-gyeong sseu-ji ma' = Don't use your single guy energy on this!
Visual Association
Imagine a brain with many glowing wires (nerves). When you say this phrase, imagine someone reaching out and turning off a switch, making the wires go dark and peaceful.
Rhyme
Don't use your nerve, stay on the curve. {신경|神經} 쓰지 마세요!
Story
Min-su spills water on Ji-won's desk. He is terrified. Ji-won smiles, waves her hand, and says '{신경|神經} 쓰지 마세요.' Min-su feels the 'nerves' in his chest relax instantly.
Word Web
Défi
Next time you are in a Korean restaurant and the server apologizes for a small delay, smile and say '{신경|神經} 쓰지 마세요!'
In Other Languages
気にしないで (Ki ni shinaide)
Japanese uses 'Ki' (spirit), Korean uses 'Sin-gyeong' (nerves).
No te preocupes
Spanish is a reflexive verb about the self, Korean is about the 'nerves' as an object.
Ne t'en fais pas
French is more idiomatic and less 'biological' than the Korean version.
Mach dir keine Sorgen
German uses the noun 'Sorgen' (worries), Korean uses 'Sin-gyeong' (nerves).
لا تهتم (La tahtam)
Arabic focuses on the act of 'caring' rather than 'nerves'.
别介意 (Bié jièyì)
Chinese 'jieyi' is more about 'taking to heart' than 'using nerves'.
Não se preocupe
Focuses on the psychological state of worry.
Never mind / Don't worry about it
English has two distinct phrases where Korean often uses just this one.
Easily Confused
Both translate to 'Don't worry' in English.
Use '걱정' for big life worries (health, money). Use '{신경|神經}' for small social details or bothers.
Learners think it's just a shorter version of the same phrase.
It is much more aggressive. Only use it if you want the person to stop talking to you.
FAQ (10)
It's not rude if you use the full polite form '{신경|神經} 쓰지 마세요' for a small thing, but '{신경|神經} 안 쓰셔도 됩니다' is safer and more professional.
'Never mind' can sometimes sound frustrated. '{신경|神經} 쓰지 마세요' is usually warmer and more focused on the other person's feelings.
Yes, if you say it sharply or use '신경 꺼,' it clearly communicates 'Mind your own business.'
Yes, it comes from {神經|神經}. Knowing the Hanja helps you connect it to other words like '신경질' (irritability).
You can say '저는 {신경|神經} 쓰지 마세요.'
It's a bit too light. For emotional pain, '걱정 마세요' or '다 잘 될 거예요' is better.
In texting, people just write '신경ㄴㄴ' or 'ㄴㄱㄴㄴ'.
It can, but it usually means 'You shouldn't care/worry.' To say 'I don't care,' you'd say '상관없어요.'
It's a metaphor for mental energy. Using nerves means you are paying close, perhaps stressful, attention.
Not exactly. You would say '제 일은 제가 알아서 하겠습니다' (I will take care of my own business).
