Cool MateDon't worry vs No worries
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Don't worry
Top 2,000 (common)
No worries
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Don't worry
| Don't worry | No worries | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dəʊnt ˈwʌri//🇺🇸 //doʊnt ˈwɜri// | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ ˈwʌriz//🇺🇸 //noʊ ˈwɜriz// |
| Meaning | A way to tell someone not to be anxious. | Don't worry or be anxious. |
| Example | You'll be fine on your exam, so just don't worry. | You forgot your notebook? No worries, you can borrow mine. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | don't worry about it, don't worry too much, don't worry, everything will be fine | say no worries, express no worries, have no worries |
| Antonyms | worry, fret, stress | - |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'don't' and saying 'worry'., Using it in overly serious contexts., Confusing with 'don't care'. | Using in formal settings where a professional tone is required., Confusing with 'no problem', which is slightly different in usage., Believing it means 'not worried' when it’s a reassurance expression. |
| Usage notes | Use in reassuring contexts; avoid in serious situations where worry is justified. | Used to reassure someone that everything is fine. It’s common in casual conversations and less formal settings. Avoid in formal writing or serious situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Don't worry vs No worries
What's the difference between Don't worry and No worries?
Don't worry: A way to tell someone not to be anxious. No worries: Don't worry or be anxious.
Which is more formal: Don't worry and No worries?
Don't worry is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Don't worry: You'll be fine on your exam, so just don't worry. No worries: You forgot your notebook? No worries, you can borrow mine.
Can I use Don't worry and No worries interchangeably?
Not always. Don't worry and No worries are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.