How to Say “I do not care” in Chinese
Feelings and opinions · HSK 3
"I do not care" in Chinese is 我不在乎 (Wǒ bú zàihu). These three are NOT interchangeable. 我不在乎 (bú zàihu) is emotionally loaded; 'I don't give a damn'; use only when you mean it, e.
Primary translation
我不在乎
Wǒ bú zàihu
Variants by register
Formal
我无所谓
Wǒ wúsuǒwèi
Casual
我不在意
Wǒ bú zàiyì
When to use it
These three are NOT interchangeable. 我不在乎 (bú zàihu) is emotionally loaded; 'I don't give a damn'; use only when you mean it, e.g. defying someone's opinion. 我无所谓 (wúsuǒwèi) is the safe everyday version: 'either is fine / whatever you pick.' It's what you say when a friend asks 吃中餐还是西餐？ 我不在意 sits between them; 'I don't mind.' Important tone note: 不 before 4th-tone 在 becomes 2nd tone, so it's bú zàihu, not bù zàihu. Getting this wrong immediately marks you as a beginner.
Example sentences
别人怎么说我不在乎。
Biérén zěnme shuō wǒ bú zàihu.
I don't care what other people say.
吃什么都行，我无所谓。
Chī shénme dōu xíng, wǒ wúsuǒwèi.
I'm fine with anything to eat, whatever you want.
迟到几分钟我不在意。
Chídào jǐ fēnzhōng wǒ bú zàiyì.
I don't mind if you're a few minutes late.