Languages › French How to Use the French Expression "Ce N'est Pas Grave" Share Flipboard Email Print Chris Black/Getty Images French Vocabulary Pronunciation & Conversation Grammar Resources For Teachers By ThoughtCo Team Updated on May 14, 2018 The French expression ce n'est pas grave (pronounced "s(eu) nay pa grav") is a phrase used in casual conversation, Literally translated as "it's not serious," the expression is commonly understood to mean "don't worry about it, "never mind," or "no problem." Usage and Examples Ce n'est pas grave is a way of brushing off something that was just said or done, and the French use it all the time, in all kinds of situations, such as responding to apologies, clearing up misunderstandings, or letting others know that they're unhurt after, for example, falling off a bike. Informally, it's often shortened to c'est pas grave. For example: Ma voiture est en panne. > My car broke down.Ce n'est pas grave, on peut prendre la mienne. > It doesn't matter, we can take mine.Pardon, j'ai oublié de l'acheter. > Sorry, I forgot to buy it.C'est pas grave. > No problem. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Team, ThoughtCo. "How to Use the French Expression "Ce N'est Pas Grave"." ThoughtCo, Dec. 6, 2021, thoughtco.com/ce-nest-pas-grave-1371142. Team, ThoughtCo. (2021, December 6). How to Use the French Expression "Ce N'est Pas Grave". Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/ce-nest-pas-grave-1371142 Team, ThoughtCo. "How to Use the French Expression "Ce N'est Pas Grave"." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/ce-nest-pas-grave-1371142 (accessed March 24, 2023). copy citation