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Japanese · At the Izakaya

ドンマイ

donmai

dohn-MYE · /dommai/

No worries / shake it off / tough luck, forget it

1/5 Grandma-safe

mild, playful; fine on daytime TV

Literally

"(from English 'don't mind')"

Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.

How to use it

Wasei-eigo (made-in-Japan English) from "don't mind (it)." The universal pat on the back after a screwup — a dropped ball, a missed shot, a spilled drink. "Donmai donmai!" waves it off. Ubiquitous in sports and among friends; warm, never sarcastic.

Heard in the wild

エラーしても、ドンマイドンマイ!

So you flubbed it — no worries, shake it off!

Where it lands

Nationwide

Quick answers

What does "ドンマイ" mean?
In Japanese, "ドンマイ" means "No worries / shake it off / tough luck, forget it". Literally it's "(from English 'don't mind')". Wasei-eigo (made-in-Japan English) from "don't mind (it)." The universal pat on the back after a screwup — a dropped ball, a missed shot, a spilled drink. "Donmai donmai!" waves it off. Ubiquitous in sports and among friends; warm, never sarcastic.
Is "ドンマイ" offensive?
It's on the mild end — 1/5 (Grandma-safe) on the Punch-o-Meter. mild, playful; fine on daytime TV.
How do you pronounce "ドンマイ"?
Say it "dohn-MYE" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: dommai.

Related in Japanese

おっす ossu OHSS 'Sup / yo (rough male greeting) 二日酔い futsuka-yoi foots-kah-YOH-ee Hangover べろべろ berobero BEH-ro-BEH-ro Hammered / blackout drunk / sloshed おごって ogotte o-GOHT-teh You're buying / treat me / your round 一気 ikki EEK-kee Chug! Chug! / down it in one! 弱虫 yowamushi yo-wah-MOO-shee Coward / wimp / chicken

The same idea, elsewhere

Via concepts like "Tough luck".

how to say "Tough luck" →

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