The idea
An ob-clause can be the subject of the sentence; its verb goes to the end, and the main verb follows directly. “Einen Unterschied machen” takes the accusative, so “keinen Unterschied”. Other options: “keine Rolle spielen” (neutral), “mir gleich sein” (neutral), “mir egal sein” (casual). “Passen zu + dative” says what fits with what.
Other ways to say it
“Die Farbe spielt für mich keine Rolle.” – Neutral to formal; fine in writing.
“Das ist mir gleich.” – Neutral and calm; a little more polite than egal.
“Die Farbe ist mir egal.” – Casual; fine with friends, may sound dismissive with strangers.
Examples
- Ob die Mappe blau oder grün ist, macht für mich keinen Unterschied.Whether the folder is blue or green makes no difference to me.
- Wichtig ist also nur die passende Größe?So only the right size matters?
- Genau, das Format muss zum Dokument passen.Exactly; the format must fit the document.
- Dann wähle ich die verfügbare Farbe.Then I will choose the available color.
- Bei dieser Einzelheit bin ich flexibel.I am flexible about this detail.
- Gut, das vereinfacht die Auswahl.Good; that simplifies the choice.
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Watch out
“Es macht keine Differenz für mich.” → “Es macht für mich keinen Unterschied.”: Differenz exists but means a numerical gap or a disagreement. “Makes no difference” is “macht keinen Unterschied”, with Unterschied in the accusative.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: Whether the folder is blue or green makes no difference to me.
Show answer or example answer
Ob die Mappe blau oder grün ist, macht für mich keinen Unterschied.
The ob-clause is the subject, with “ist” at its end. The main verb “macht” follows at once; “keinen Unterschied” is masculine accusative.
Put the words in order: das / Dokument / Format / Genau / muss / passen / zum
Show answer or example answer
Genau, das Format muss zum Dokument passen.
“Passen zu + dative” gives “zum Dokument” (zu dem). The modal “muss” makes it a requirement, and “passen” goes to the end.
Write this sentence in German: Good; that simplifies the choice.
Show answer or example answer
Gut, das vereinfacht die Auswahl.
“Das” refers to the whole previous statement and is the subject. “Vereinfachen” means to simplify; “die Auswahl” is the accusative object.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: Whether the folder is blue or green makes no difference to me.
Ob die Mappe blau oder grün ist, macht für mich keinen Unterschied.
Put the words in order: das / Dokument / Format / Genau / muss / passen / zum
Genau, das Format muss zum Dokument passen.
Write this sentence in German: Good; that simplifies the choice.
Gut, das vereinfacht die Auswahl.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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A shop assistant asks whether you want your bike lock in black or grey. Say the colour makes no difference and name the feature that matters to you.