Significado
Dismissing the relevance of something.
Contexto cultural
In Russian business culture, 'Это не важно' can be used to quickly pivot from small talk to the main agenda. Russians often value directness and getting to the point. The phrase is often used with a shrug (the 'Russian shrug'), which conveys a sense of fatalism—that some things simply aren't worth worrying about in the grand scheme of things. Classic authors like Chekhov often use the dismissal of 'importance' to highlight the absurdity of life or the boredom of the provincial elite. In Russian Telegram chats, you'll often see 'нв' as an abbreviation for 'не важно' when someone wants to retract a question or a comment quickly.
The Power of the Shrug
Pair this phrase with a slight shoulder shrug and a neutral face to sound like a true native.
Watch the Tone
If you say it too loudly or sharply, it can sound like you are telling the other person to shut up.
Significado
Dismissing the relevance of something.
The Power of the Shrug
Pair this phrase with a slight shoulder shrug and a neutral face to sound like a true native.
Watch the Tone
If you say it too loudly or sharply, it can sound like you are telling the other person to shut up.
Shorten it!
In 90% of casual conversations, you can just say 'Не важно' and drop the 'Это'.
Polite Dismissal
If someone is over-explaining a mistake, saying 'Это не важно' is a kind way to stop their embarrassment.
Teste-se
Complete the sentence to say 'It was not important yesterday.'
Это ___ не важно вчера.
Since 'это' is neuter, the past tense of the verb 'to be' must also be neuter: 'было'.
Which is the most natural way to respond to a small apology?
— Извини, я забыл твою книгу! — ...
'Это не важно' is the standard, grammatically correct way to dismiss a small mistake.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Someone asks about a detail you want to skip.
This phrase is used to indicate that a detail is not worth discussing.
Complete the dialogue.
А: Какой сегодня день? Б: Вторник. А: А число? Б: ___ , пойдём скорее!
The speaker is in a hurry and wants to dismiss the question about the date.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Important vs. Not Important
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosЭто ___ не важно вчера.
Since 'это' is neuter, the past tense of the verb 'to be' must also be neuter: 'было'.
— Извини, я забыл твою книгу! — ...
'Это не важно' is the standard, grammatically correct way to dismiss a small mistake.
Someone asks about a detail you want to skip.
This phrase is used to indicate that a detail is not worth discussing.
А: Какой сегодня день? Б: Вторник. А: А число? Б: ___ , пойдём скорее!
The speaker is in a hurry and wants to dismiss the question about the date.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasYes, it is generally neutral and polite. However, don't use it for serious emotional topics.
Yes, but 'Это не имеет значения' is slightly more professional.
'Важно' means important; 'нужно' means necessary. They are not interchangeable.
Because it's a neuter short-form adjective describing the abstract subject 'это'.
Say 'Это мне не важно' (using the Dative case for 'me').
Yes, e.g., 'Не важно, кто пришёл' (It doesn't matter who came).
Yes, 'пофиг' or 'без разницы', but be careful as 'пофиг' is quite rude.
Yes, it's the most common translation for 'never mind' in Russian.
No, you can't say 'Он не важно.' You must say 'Он не важный человек' (He is not an important person).
Just remove the 'не': 'Это очень важно'.
Frases relacionadas
Не имеет значения
synonymDoes not have meaning
Мне всё равно
similarIt's all the same to me
Пустяки
similarTrifles
Это важно
contrastThis is important
Без разницы
similarWithout difference
