Closest to I don't mind or I don't care?

Catherine R.C1Kwiziq community member

Closest to I don't mind or I don't care?

In English there's a slight difference in meaning between I don't mind, which is a neutral expression of indifference and I don't care, which is a more negative expression.  Which of these is Ça m'est égal closest to? 

Asked 4 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Just to add to Chris' excellent answer, 

ça m'est égal  = I don't mind/it doesn't matter to me

but also

I don't care

in a very mild way.

For a stronger sentiment, you would use 

je m'en moque

Je m'en fiche

Je n'en ai rien à faire 

 je m'en fous

(which is not as vulgar as the translation might imply but generates an interesting  noun 'le je m'en foutisme' which is used to describe a couldn't care less attitude)

and a lot more expressions with various degrees of vulgarity which I won't go into now!

But an interesting question, nevertheless...

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Je m'en fiche.
Je m'en moque.

Both of these have a bit of a negative connotation. Along the lines of "I don't care."

Catherine R.C1Kwiziq community member

Thank you!

Catherine R. asked:

Closest to I don't mind or I don't care?

In English there's a slight difference in meaning between I don't mind, which is a neutral expression of indifference and I don't care, which is a more negative expression.  Which of these is Ça m'est égal closest to? 

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