What does "No worries, mate" mean?
It means no problem, or you're welcome. Adding mate gives the reply a friendly, informal tone when you agree to help, accept an apology or respond to thanks.
Hear an Aussie say it
The saying
No worries, mate
Example
Can you cover my shift? No worries, mate.
How Aussies use it
At the shops
Ben: Sorry, I've only got a fifty.
Grace: No worries, mate. I've got change.
Here it means it is no problem. A fifty is a fifty-dollar note.
At work
Raj: Thanks for covering my shift on Saturday.
Ella: No worries, mate. You can do one of mine next time.
Here it means you're welcome.
At the pub
Josh: Oops, sorry, I bumped your drink.
Matt: No worries, mate. Nothing spilled.
Here it accepts an apology. It means don't worry about it.
How to reply
- "Cheers." A short thanks. Cheers means thanks.
- "Thanks, mate." Friendly and always safe. Often you don't need to reply at all. A smile or a nod is enough.
When to use it
Use it to say you're welcome, it's no problem, or don't worry about it. It is polite and friendly, and it works with almost anyone, from a friend to a shop worker. Without mate it is still fine, just a little quicker.
When not to use it
In formal writing, like an email to a client or a job application, write "you're welcome" or "no problem at all". If someone needs a firm promise about something important, give a clear answer, not just no worries.
Where it comes from
The Australian National Dictionary Centre describes no worries as a casual version of "not to worry". It is first recorded in the 1960s and is now very common in Australia.
Source: Australian National Dictionary Centre, ANU: no worries
Questions about "No worries, mate"
Is no worries rude?
No. In Australia it is a polite, friendly reply. Some visitors are surprised to hear it instead of you're welcome, but it means the same thing.
How do you reply to no worries?
You usually don't need to. A smile, a nod or "cheers" is enough.
Is no worries the same as no problem?
Yes, it is very close. No worries sounds a little more relaxed, and it is very common in Australia.
