How to say no problem in Thai

The tone on every syllable

Thai has five tones, and each syllable carries one. Here's the shape your voice makes on each part of ไม่เป็นไร. The dotted line is your normal speaking pitch.

Getting it right

• mâi is falling: start high and drop.
• bpen and rai are both mid and level.
• bp is a p with no puff of air, somewhere between b and p.

When to use it

• It answers “sorry” (never mind), “thank you” (you're welcome) and “can you…?” when the answer is don't worry.
• It's one of the most used phrases in Thai and says a lot about the easygoing attitude people value.

Check your tones

Reading the tone is one thing; saying it is another. In Ravela's Pronunciation Lab you say ไม่เป็นไร and see your pitch drawn over a native line, with notes on what to change. It's free to start, no card needed.

Practise ไม่เป็นไร free Try the no-signup tone test

Questions people ask

Does ไม่เป็นไร mean you're welcome?

It's the usual reply to thank you, so yes, and it also means never mind and no problem.

What tones are in ไม่เป็นไร?

Falling, then mid, then mid.

More Thai phrases

hello · thank you · sorry / excuse me · how are you? · delicious · how much? · beautiful · yes / no · where's the toilet? · excuse me · I love you · good night · what's your name · I don't understand · where are you from · Khráp and khâ: the polite endings · for the bill

The audio is Ravela's reference voice. Romanisation follows Ravela's house style, with the tone marked on every syllable.