Meaning
It's not important enough to talk about or cause concern.
Cultural Background
In Germany, modesty is often expressed through factual minimization. By saying something isn't 'worth the speech,' you are being 'sachlich' (objective) about the smallness of the task. Austrians might use 'Passt schon' or 'Keine Ursache' more frequently in casual settings, but 'Nicht der Rede wert' remains the gold standard for formal politeness in Vienna. Swiss German speakers have their own dialect versions (like 'Gern gschee'), but in High German contexts, they use 'Nicht der Rede wert' to maintain professional distance. In international business, Germans use this phrase to signal that they are easy to work with and don't sweat the small stuff.
The 'Modesty' Hack
Use this phrase when you want to sound like a native speaker who is humble but confident.
Don't overdo it
If you use this for every single thing, you might sound a bit repetitive or robotic. Mix it with 'Gern geschehen'.
Meaning
It's not important enough to talk about or cause concern.
The 'Modesty' Hack
Use this phrase when you want to sound like a native speaker who is humble but confident.
Don't overdo it
If you use this for every single thing, you might sound a bit repetitive or robotic. Mix it with 'Gern geschehen'.
The Genitive Touch
Using the genitive 'der Rede' automatically makes you sound more educated to German ears.
Softening with 'kaum'
Add 'kaum' (hardly) to make it sound even more natural: 'Das ist kaum der Rede wert.'
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word in the genitive case.
Vielen Dank für deine Hilfe! — Ach, das war nicht der ______ wert.
The fixed idiom is 'nicht der Rede wert'. 'Rede' is the correct noun here.
Which response is the most appropriate and modest for a professional setting?
Chef: 'Gute Arbeit bei der Präsentation!'
Wait! While 'nicht der Rede wert' is modest, in response to a big compliment like 'Gute Arbeit', it might sound like you're devaluing your work. However, if the task was tiny, 'nicht der Rede wert' works. But 'Danke...' is usually safer for big praise. If the task was just 'sending an email', then 'nicht der Rede wert' is perfect.
Match the situation to the best use of the phrase.
Situation: You helped a neighbor carry one light bag of groceries.
This is a small favor, making it the perfect context for this phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Entschuldige, dass ich dein Buch erst heute zurückgebe. B: ________, ich hatte sowieso keine Zeit zum Lesen.
B is reassuring A that the delay wasn't a problem.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'sein'.
Früher ______ solche Kleinigkeiten nicht der Rede wert.
The subject 'Kleinigkeiten' is plural, and 'früher' indicates the past (Präteritum).
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Politeness Levels
Practice Bank
5 exercisesVielen Dank für deine Hilfe! — Ach, das war nicht der ______ wert.
The fixed idiom is 'nicht der Rede wert'. 'Rede' is the correct noun here.
Chef: 'Gute Arbeit bei der Präsentation!'
Wait! While 'nicht der Rede wert' is modest, in response to a big compliment like 'Gute Arbeit', it might sound like you're devaluing your work. However, if the task was tiny, 'nicht der Rede wert' works. But 'Danke...' is usually safer for big praise. If the task was just 'sending an email', then 'nicht der Rede wert' is perfect.
Situation: You helped a neighbor carry one light bag of groceries.
This is a small favor, making it the perfect context for this phrase.
A: Entschuldige, dass ich dein Buch erst heute zurückgebe. B: ________, ich hatte sowieso keine Zeit zum Lesen.
B is reassuring A that the delay wasn't a problem.
Früher ______ solche Kleinigkeiten nicht der Rede wert.
The subject 'Kleinigkeiten' is plural, and 'früher' indicates the past (Präteritum).
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt is neutral to formal. You can use it with your boss or with a stranger on the street.
No, that is grammatically incorrect. It must be 'der Rede' (genitive).
'Kein Problem' is more casual and focuses on the lack of trouble. 'Nicht der Rede wert' is more elegant and focuses on the insignificance of the act.
Usually no. It's a polite phrase. If you use it sarcastically, it might work, but it's rare.
Yes, it is standard High German and understood everywhere from Berlin to Zurich.
No, that would sound strange. If you saved someone's life, don't say it's not worth talking about!
Yes, {die|f} Rede. In this phrase, it changes to 'der' because of the genitive case.
Yes, it's very common in professional emails to downplay a small favor or correction.
Absolutely not! It means the *topic* isn't worth more words, not that the person should stop talking.
Something like 'Das ist von großer Bedeutung' (That is of great importance).
Yes, in spoken German, you can just say 'Nicht der Rede wert!' as a short response.
Not at all. It's a timeless classic that is still used every day in news, business, and social life.
Related Phrases
Gern geschehen
synonymMy pleasure / You're welcome
Keine Ursache
synonymNo cause (for thanks)
Nichts zu danken
synonymNothing to thank for
Nicht der Mühe wert
similarNot worth the effort
Unter ferner liefen
specialized formAlso-ran / insignificant
