How do you say "It's not serious / it doesn't matter" in French?

"It's not serious / it doesn't matter" in French is "Ce n'est pas grave". This phrase is commonly used in France.

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How to Say ‘It's not serious / it doesn't matter’ in French

Q: What does "Ce n'est pas grave" mean in English?

"Ce n'est pas grave" means "It's not serious / it doesn't matter" in English. Usage tip: With a doctor, this usually means It is not serious. grave can mean serious, not grave like a tomb. French false friend alert!

Ce n'est pas grave

suh n ay pah grahv

[suh n ay pah grahv]

💬 Usage Tip: With a doctor, this usually means It is not serious. grave can mean serious, not grave like a tomb. French false friend alert!

🇫🇷 In France: French doctors may say Ce n'est pas grave to reassure you. It usually means the problem is minor, not that they are dismissing you.

Phrase Breakdown

[suh]

it / this

A demonstrative word meaning 'this' or 'it' here, used in expressions like 'Ce n'est pas grave.'

Example

Ce n'est pas grave si vous avez un peu mal à la tête.

It is not serious if you have a slight headache.

[n]

not

Shortened form of 'ne', used in negation before a vowel, as in 'n'est pas'.

Example

Ce n'est pas grave selon le médecin.

It is not serious according to the doctor.

est

[ay]

Form of the verb 'être' meaning 'is'. In 'n'est pas', it helps form 'is not'.

Example

Ce n'est pas grave, mais reposez-vous.

It is not serious, but rest.

pas

[pah]

not

Negation word meaning 'not'. With 'ne' or 'n'', it makes the sentence negative.

Example

Ce n'est pas grave, ce n'est pas urgent.

It is not serious, it is not urgent.

grave

[grahv]

serious

Means 'serious' or 'severe'. Doctors use it to reassure patients when something is not dangerous.

Example

Le médecin dit que ce n'est pas grave aujourd'hui.

The doctor says that it is not serious today.

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