German Phrase
Keine Sorge, ist nur 'ne Kleinigkeit.
Meaning
Literally: "No worry, it's just a little thing." The speaker reassures the listener that whatever happened is minor and not worth stressing over. The tone is friendly and informal.
When to use
Use this phrase in casual conversations with friends, family, or coworkers when you want to downplay a small mistake, a minor inconvenience, or a tiny favor. It sounds too informal for business emails or formal presentations.
✦Grammar Breakdown
KeineSorge,istnur'neKleinigkeit.
Negation with feminine noun
"Keine" is the negated form of "eine" and agrees with the feminine noun "Sorge".
Implied subject "es"
The verb "ist" has an implied subject "es" (it) which is often omitted in casual speech.
Colloquial contraction "'ne"
"'ne" is the spoken contraction of "eine" and is used only in informal contexts.
Adverb "nur"
"nur" means "only" and modifies the whole predicate, down‑playing the importance.
Noun gender
"Kleinigkeit" is a feminine noun, so the article (here the contracted "'ne") must be feminine.
🗨In Conversation
Entschuldigung, ich habe den Stift fallen lassen und die Tinte verschmiert.
Sorry, I dropped the pen and smeared the ink.
Keine Sorge, ist nur 'ne Kleinigkeit.
Don't worry, it's just a little thing.
✕Common Mistakes
Keine Sorgen, ist nur 'ne Kleinigkeit.
"Sorgen" is plural; the fixed expression is "Keine Sorge" (singular).
Keine Sorge, ist nur ein Kleinigkeit.
"Kleinigkeit" is feminine, so the article must be "eine" (or the colloquial "'ne").
Keine Sorge, ist nur ne Kleinigkeit.
In formal contexts you should use the full article "eine" instead of the contraction.
↔Alternatives
Mach dir keine Sorgen, das ist nur eine Kleinigkeit.
Don't worry, it's only a small thing.
Keine Angst, das ist nur ein kleines Problem.
No fear, it's just a small problem.
Kein Grund zur Sorge, das ist nur eine Kleinigkeit.
No reason to worry, it's just a minor thing.
Cultural Tip
German speakers frequently use "Keine Sorge" as a quick reassurance. The contraction "'ne" signals a relaxed, everyday register—avoid it in formal settings or with people you don't know well. "Kleinigkeit" can refer to anything tiny, from a minor mistake to a small favor, and is often used to keep the tone light.