15초 만에
- A neutral way to agree or show acceptance.
- Perfect for confirming plans or accepting small changes.
- Be careful with your tone to avoid sounding annoyed.
뜻
You use this when you want to say 'okay' or 'no problem' to a choice or situation. It shows you are happy or satisfied with what is happening.
주요 예문
3 / 6Changing a meeting time
Can we meet at 3 PM instead? Yes, that's fine.
Can we meet at 3 PM instead? Yes, that's fine.
At a restaurant
We are out of lemons, is lime okay? That's fine, thank you.
We are out of lemons, is lime okay? That's fine, thank you.
Texting a friend
I'll be five minutes late! That's fine, see you soon.
I'll be five minutes late! That's fine, see you soon.
문화적 배경
The 'British Fine' can be an understatement. If a Brit says 'That's fine' with a sigh, they might actually be unhappy but are too polite to complain. Americans often use 'That's fine' very literally in business. It means the proposal meets the minimum requirements. Australians might swap 'That's fine' for 'No worries', which carries a more relaxed, 'laid-back' cultural vibe. In Singapore, 'That's fine' is often replaced by the efficient 'Can' or 'Can one'.
Smile while saying it
To avoid sounding passive-aggressive, use a friendly tone and a small smile.
Not for big news
Don't say 'That's fine' if someone tells you they got married or won a prize!
15초 만에
- A neutral way to agree or show acceptance.
- Perfect for confirming plans or accepting small changes.
- Be careful with your tone to avoid sounding annoyed.
What It Means
That's fine is your go-to phrase for simple agreement. It tells people you are satisfied with a plan. It is not overly excited. It is not angry. It is a calm middle ground. Think of it as a green light for a conversation. You are saying, "I accept this."
How To Use It
Use it when someone offers a solution or asks for permission. If a friend asks to meet at 5:00 PM, you say That's fine. If a waiter says they are out of fish, you say That's fine. It works best for small decisions. Keep your voice steady and light. A flat tone might make you sound bored. A smile makes it sound much warmer.
When To Use It
You can use this almost anywhere. Use it when texting to confirm a plan. Use it at work when a deadline moves slightly. It is great for polite refusals too. If someone offers more coffee and you are full, say "No thanks, that's fine." It keeps the mood friendly and easy. It is the ultimate 'low-stress' English phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this for big, exciting news. If your friend gets married, don't say That's fine. That would be very awkward! Also, be careful if you are actually upset. Saying That's fine with crossed arms means the opposite. In English, this is called being 'passive-aggressive'. If you are truly unhappy, use a different phrase to explain why.
Cultural Background
English speakers, especially in the UK and US, love being polite but indirect. That's fine is a way to avoid conflict. It helps keep things 'smooth'. It reflects a culture where we don't want to be a burden. By saying That's fine, you are telling the other person not to worry about you. It is a very helpful social lubricant.
Common Variations
You will hear people say That's perfectly fine to be extra polite. Friends might just say Fine by me. If you want to sound more modern, you can say That works for me. In very casual settings, some people just say Fine. However, be careful with just Fine as it can sometimes sound a bit grumpy!
사용 참고사항
This phrase sits right in the middle of the formality scale. It is safe for both the office and the dinner table. The biggest 'gotcha' is tone of voice—keep it upbeat to ensure you sound genuinely agreeable.
Smile while saying it
To avoid sounding passive-aggressive, use a friendly tone and a small smile.
Not for big news
Don't say 'That's fine' if someone tells you they got married or won a prize!
Add 'perfectly'
Saying 'That's perfectly fine' makes you sound much more fluent and polite.
The British 'Fine'
Listen for the 'sigh'—if a Brit sighs before saying 'fine', they are probably annoyed.
예시
6Can we meet at 3 PM instead? Yes, that's fine.
Can we meet at 3 PM instead? Yes, that's fine.
Shows flexibility in a professional but friendly way.
We are out of lemons, is lime okay? That's fine, thank you.
We are out of lemons, is lime okay? That's fine, thank you.
Accepting a substitute politely.
I'll be five minutes late! That's fine, see you soon.
I'll be five minutes late! That's fine, see you soon.
Short and reassuring for a common social slip-up.
Do you want a coat? No, I'm okay, that's fine.
Do you want a coat? No, I'm okay, that's fine.
Used here to mean 'I am satisfied with my current state'.
Fine, that's fine, just do whatever you want.
Fine, that's fine, just do whatever you want.
The repetition and context show the speaker is actually unhappy.
I'm so sorry I broke the glass. Don't worry, that's fine.
I'm so sorry I broke the glass. Don't worry, that's fine.
Used to forgive a small mistake and reduce tension.
셀프 테스트
Choose the best response to the following situation.
Your friend says: 'I forgot to bring the snacks, but I can buy some now.'
'That's fine' is used to reassure someone that a small mistake is okay.
Fill in the blank to complete the dialogue.
A: 'Can we meet at 5 PM instead of 4 PM?' B: 'Yes, ______ fine with me.'
'That's fine with me' is the standard idiomatic expression for agreeing to a change.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
When would you say 'That's perfectly fine'?
'That's perfectly fine' is a warm way to grant a small request.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
Waiter: 'I'm sorry, we only have brown bread left.' Customer: '________________.'
The customer is accepting a substitute offered by the waiter.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
When to say 'That's fine'
Changes
- • New time
- • New place
- • New plan
Substitutes
- • Tea instead of coffee
- • Salad instead of fries
Mistakes
- • Being late
- • Forgetting a pen
연습 문제 은행
4 연습 문제Your friend says: 'I forgot to bring the snacks, but I can buy some now.'
'That's fine' is used to reassure someone that a small mistake is okay.
A: 'Can we meet at 5 PM instead of 4 PM?' B: 'Yes, ______ fine with me.'
'That's fine with me' is the standard idiomatic expression for agreeing to a change.
When would you say 'That's perfectly fine'?
'That's perfectly fine' is a warm way to grant a small request.
Waiter: 'I'm sorry, we only have brown bread left.' Customer: '________________.'
The customer is accepting a substitute offered by the waiter.
🎉 점수: /4
자주 묻는 질문
12 질문Usually no, it's neutral. But if you say it with a short, angry tone, it can be passive-aggressive.
Yes, it's very common in professional emails to confirm times or small changes.
They are almost the same. 'That's okay' is slightly more informal.
Yes, but 'That's fine' is more common when responding to something someone just said.
Add an adverb: 'That's perfectly fine!' or 'That's absolutely fine!'
It's better to say 'That is perfectly acceptable' or 'That works for me' in a formal interview.
Yes, it is a way of saying 'Yes' to a proposal or choice.
If you say 'The food is fine', it means it's okay but not great. It's a bit of a 'meh' review.
Yes, 'It's fine' and 'That's fine' are interchangeable in most situations.
It's a famous cartoon of a dog in a fire, used to show someone ignoring a disaster.
Yes, it is perfectly polite for a professional relationship.
Yes, very frequently, often as an understatement.
관련 표현
That's okay
synonymAcceptable or satisfactory.
No problem
similarA way to say you don't mind doing something.
That works
similarThat plan is functional for me.
Fine by me
specialized formI personally agree with this.
It's all good
informalEverything is fine.
That'll do
similarThat is sufficient.
