Meaning
Expressing indifference in a more informal way.
Cultural Background
In Berlin, 'Mir doch egal' is part of the 'Berliner Schnauze' (Berlin snout) — a rough but often heart-of-gold attitude. It's used to show independence and a lack of pretension. Bavarians often prefer 'Mir wurscht'. It reflects a more relaxed, 'Gemütlichkeit' approach to life's minor inconveniences. In German business culture, directness is valued, but 'Mir egal' is too direct. It signals a lack of 'Engagement' (commitment). Use 'Ich überlasse die Entscheidung Ihnen' instead. Younger Germans use 'Ist mir latte' or 'Egal' as a one-word filler to show they are 'chill' or not overthinking things.
Watch your tone
A sharp 'Mir doch egal!' can end a friendship. Use a soft voice if you just mean you have no preference.
The 'Doch' factor
Adding 'doch' makes you sound much more like a native speaker than just saying 'Mir egal'.
Meaning
Expressing indifference in a more informal way.
Watch your tone
A sharp 'Mir doch egal!' can end a friendship. Use a soft voice if you just mean you have no preference.
The 'Doch' factor
Adding 'doch' makes you sound much more like a native speaker than just saying 'Mir egal'.
Regional variants
If you are in Munich, try 'Mir wurscht' to sound like a local!
Test Yourself
Which response is most appropriate for a casual friend asking about dinner?
A: 'Wollen wir Pizza oder Sushi?' B: '________'
'Mir doch egal' is the natural, informal way to express indifference to a choice.
Complete the sentence with the correct dative pronoun.
Das ist ____ (me) völlig egal.
'Egal sein' requires the dative case.
Match the phrase to the context.
1. 'Das spielt keine Rolle.' 2. 'Mir doch egal!' 3. 'Das macht nichts.'
Register and context are crucial for these similar-sounding phrases.
Complete the dialogue to show defiance.
A: 'Wenn du zu spät kommst, kriegst du Ärger!' B: '____ ____ ____!'
In this context, 'Mir doch egal' shows the speaker doesn't care about the threat.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Ways to say 'I don't care'
Standard
- • Es ist mir egal
- • Das ist mir einerlei
Informal
- • Mir doch egal
- • Ist mir latte
Regional
- • Mir wurscht
- • Mir schnuppe
Practice Bank
4 exercisesA: 'Wollen wir Pizza oder Sushi?' B: '________'
'Mir doch egal' is the natural, informal way to express indifference to a choice.
Das ist ____ (me) völlig egal.
'Egal sein' requires the dative case.
1. 'Das spielt keine Rolle.' 2. 'Mir doch egal!' 3. 'Das macht nichts.'
Register and context are crucial for these similar-sounding phrases.
A: 'Wenn du zu spät kommst, kriegst du Ärger!' B: '____ ____ ____!'
In this context, 'Mir doch egal' shows the speaker doesn't care about the threat.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt can be. Between friends, it's fine. To a stranger or a boss, it's very rude.
'Mir doch egal' is more emphatic and often used when someone expects you to care, but you don't.
Only in informal chats (WhatsApp) or in dialogue in a story. Avoid it in formal emails.
Because the phrase is 'Es ist mir (dative) egal'. It's a fixed dative expression.
Use 'Ich habe keine Präferenz' or 'Das überlasse ich Ihnen'.
No, as an adjective it can still mean 'equal' or 'level' in technical contexts, though this is rare in speech.
Literally yes, but figuratively it just means 'I don't care'.
It's better to say 'Das spielt für mich keine große Rolle' to be safe.
It's a vulgar, very strong version of 'I don't care'. Use it only when very angry or with very close friends.
Say 'Das ist mir egal'.
'Egal' is the phrase used in speech; 'gleichgültig' is the formal adjective (indifferent).
Yes, e.g., 'Egal was passiert, ich helfe dir.' (No matter what happens...)
Related Phrases
Mir wurscht
synonymIt's sausage to me.
Das ist mir einerlei
synonymIt's all one to me.
Mir schnuppe
synonymI don't care at all.
Gleichgültig
similarIndifferent.
Was auch immer
similarWhatever.
