méi wèntí: 没问题 - No Problem, Okay, Sure Thing
Quick Summary
Keywords: mei wenti, méi wèntí, 没问题, no problem in Chinese, how to say okay in Chinese, how to say sure in Chinese, Chinese for no problem, HSK 1, Chinese phrases, basic mandarin
Summary: “没问题” (méi wèntí) is one of the most useful and common phrases in Mandarin Chinese for beginners. Literally meaning “no question” or “no issue,” it's the perfect equivalent of the English “no problem,” “okay,” or “sure thing.” You'll hear it constantly in daily life in China, used to agree to requests, give reassurance, and confirm that everything is fine. Learning “没问题” is a key step to sounding natural and capable in basic conversations.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): méi wèntí
Part of Speech: Phrase / Adjective
HSK Level: HSK 1
Concise Definition: There is no problem; it's okay; sure.
In a Nutshell: “没问题” is the go-to Chinese phrase for confidently agreeing to a request or assuring someone that a situation is under control. It communicates capability and willingness, effectively saying “I can handle this” or “Yes, that's perfectly fine.” It's the direct opposite of having a problem, doubt, or issue with something.
Character Breakdown
没 (méi): This is a negative particle meaning “not have” or “there is not.” It's used to negate the existence of something. For example, 我没钱 (wǒ méi qián) means “I don't have money.”
问 (wèn): This character means “to ask.” You can picture it as a mouth (口 kǒu) inside a door (门 mén), as if someone is at the door asking a question.
题 (tí): This character means “topic,” “subject,” “problem,” or “question” (like a test question).
When combined, 没 (méi) + 问题 (wèntí) literally translates to “not have a question/problem.” This beautifully and logically forms the meaning of “no problem.”
Cultural Context and Significance
“没问题” is more than just a simple “yes.” It carries a cultural weight of assurance, competence, and helpfulness. In Chinese culture, being able to confidently say “没问题” is a way of showing reliability and building trust. It's a proactive and positive response that strengthens interpersonal relationships.
While an American might say “no problem” to mean “it's no inconvenience to me,” the Chinese “没问题” often carries a stronger connotation of “I am capable and I guarantee a successful outcome.” It's less about the speaker's convenience and more about the requester's peace of mind. For example, if you ask a colleague for help on a difficult task, their “没问题” is a strong reassurance that they have the skills to get it done and you don't need to worry. This reflects a can-do attitude that is highly valued.
Practical Usage in Modern China
“没问题” is an extremely common, informal phrase used in almost any daily situation.
Agreeing to a Request: This is its most frequent use. When someone asks you to do something, “没问题” is a friendly and confident “yes.”
Giving Reassurance: When someone expresses worry or doubt, you can use “没问题” to calm them down and let them know everything will be alright.
Confirming Something Works: You can use it to state that a machine, a plan, or a situation is functioning correctly.
It is appropriate with friends, family, colleagues, and in service situations (e.g., ordering at a restaurant or talking to a shopkeeper). While common in spoken language and informal chats, you would use more formal language in official contracts or documents.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
A: 你能帮我一下吗？ B: 没问题！
Pinyin: A: Nǐ néng bāng wǒ yíxià ma? B: Méi wèntí!
English: A: Can you help me for a moment? B: No problem!
Analysis: This is the most classic and common usage of “没问题” – a simple, positive agreement to a request for help.
Example 2:
A: 这个周五开会，你能来吗？ B: 没问题，我肯定到。
Pinyin: A: Zhège zhōuwǔ kāihuì, nǐ néng lái ma? B: Méi wèntí, wǒ kěndìng dào.
English: A: We have a meeting this Friday, can you come? B: No problem, I'll definitely be there.
Analysis: Here, “没问题” is used to confirm availability. The follow-up “我肯定到” (wǒ kěndìng dào - I'll definitely arrive) reinforces the commitment.
Example 3:
A: 一个人拿这么多东西，太重了吧？ B: 没问题，我力气大。
Pinyin: A: Yíge rén ná zhème duō dōngxi, tài zhòng le ba? B: Méi wèntí, wǒ lìqi dà.
English: A: Isn't carrying so much stuff by yourself too heavy? B: No problem, I'm strong.
Analysis: This example shows “没问题” used as reassurance. It dismisses the other person's concern by expressing confidence and capability.
Example 4:
A: 这台电脑还能用吗？ B: 没问题，刚修好。
Pinyin: A: Zhè tái diànnǎo hái néng yòng ma? B: Méi wèntí, gāng xiū hǎo.
English: A: Does this computer still work? B: No problem, it was just fixed.
Analysis: In this context, “没问题” means “it's working fine” or “there's nothing wrong with it.”
Example 5:
明天的计划没问题吧？
Pinyin: Míngtiān de jìhuà méi wèntí ba?
English: There's no problem with tomorrow's plan, right?
Analysis: This shows how to use the phrase in a question to seek confirmation. The particle “吧” (ba) softens the question.
Example 6:
服务员，加一碗米饭，没问题吧？
Pinyin: Fúwùyuán, jiā yì wǎn mǐfàn, méi wèntí ba?
English: Waiter, can I add a bowl of rice, is that okay?
Analysis: A polite way to make a request in a restaurant. You are essentially asking, “It's no problem to do this, is it?”
Example 7:
放心吧，交给我就没问题了。
Pinyin: Fàngxīn ba, jiāo gěi wǒ jiù méi wèntí le.
English: Don't worry, just leave it to me and there will be no problem.
Analysis: A very strong form of reassurance, often heard among colleagues or friends. “放心” (fàngxīn) means “to rest assured.”
Example 8:
A: 你开车送我回家可以吗？ B: 没问题，上车吧！
Pinyin: A: Nǐ kāichē sòng wǒ huí jiā kěyǐ ma? B: Méi wèntí, shàng chē ba!
English: A: Can you drive me home? B: No problem, get in the car!
Analysis: A friendly and enthusiastic agreement to a direct request.
Example 9:
只要你按时完成，钱没问题。
Pinyin: Zhǐyào nǐ ànshí wánchéng, qián méi wèntí.
English: As long as you finish on time, the money is no problem (i.e., you'll be paid).
Analysis: Demonstrates its use in a transactional or business-casual context. “钱没问题” (qián méi wèntí) is a common phrase to assure payment.
Example 10:
如果你觉得这个方法没问题，我们就开始吧。
Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ juéde zhège fāngfǎ méi wèntí, wǒmen jiù kāishǐ ba.
English: If you think this method is okay, then let's begin.
Analysis: Here, “没问题” means “is acceptable” or “is without flaws.” It's used to seek consensus before proceeding.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
The most common mistake for English speakers is using “没问题” to mean “You're welcome.”
In English, if someone says “Thank you,” it's very common to reply with “No problem.” However, in Mandarin, this is incorrect and can sound a bit awkward. “没问题” is used to agree to a task or request before it's done, not to respond to thanks after it's done.
Incorrect Usage:
Correct Usage:
Think of it this way: “没问题” answers the implied question “Can you do this?” while “不客气” (bú kèqi) answers the statement “Thank you.”
好的 (hǎo de) - Okay, good. A very simple and common agreement, but slightly less emphatic than 没问题. It's like a simple “Okay.”
行 (xíng) - Okay, will do. A very concise, single-character agreement. Often used in quick, informal exchanges.
可以 (kěyǐ) - Can, may, okay. More focused on permission or possibility. Answering “可以” means “It is permissible/possible.”
当然 (dāngrán) - Of course, certainly. A stronger and more confident agreement than 没问题, implying the answer is obvious.
不客气 (bú kèqi) - You're welcome. The standard, polite response to “谢谢” (xièxie - thank you).
不用谢 (búyòng xiè) - No need for thanks. A slightly more casual way to say “you're welcome.”
放心 (fàngxīn) - To rest assured; don't worry. A verb often used with 没问题 to give strong reassurance, e.g., “放心吧，没问题。”
搞定 (gǎodìng) - To get something done; to handle it. A colloquial slang term for successfully completing a task. Saying “没问题” is the promise; “搞定了” (gǎo dìng le) is the confirmation of success.