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- Das ist mir egal?
Das ist mir egal?
How does "Das ist mir egal" mean "I do not care?" Could you give me the meanings of "egal" besides identical and no matter. :)
7 Comments
I think German has borrowed the word "egal" from French "égal". "Egal" is related to the English word "equal" (=the same), so the sentence literally means "This is (all) the same to me", i.e. "I do not care/mind".
Generally, "egal" is only used in the sense of "I don't care". In sentences like "All men are equal", you wouldn't use "egal" in German but a different word: "Alle Menschen sind gleich".
2408
@Katherle: The first part of your answer is correct, ie. "das ist mir egal" is "that is all the same to me"; but the word "egal" is also used in another context as in the sentence "das ist egal" with the (neutral) meaning "it makes no difference" as for example in a sentence like "Soll ich um 3 oder um 4 kommen?/Should I come at three or at four o´clock? possible answer "das ist egal, die Party geht den ganzen Nachmittag"/"That makes no difference=you can come at any time you like, we will party all afternoon..." Noch viel Spaß!