The idea
“Kein Aufwand” and “keine Mühe” both mean no effort; Aufwand is masculine, Mühe feminine. A nominalised infinitive like “das Nachschauen” is neuter and capitalised. “Ohnehin” and “sowieso” (anyway) explain why it cost nothing. “Gern geschehen” is the standard reply to thanks, and “Kein Ding” is casual slang.
Other ways to say it
“Gern geschehen, das war doch keine Mühe.” – Neutral and warm; works with du and Sie.
“Kein Ding!” – Very casual slang, used mostly by younger speakers.
“Das habe ich gern gemacht.” – Neutral to formal; stresses willingness rather than effort.
Examples
- Das kurze Nachschauen war wirklich kein Aufwand.That brief check really was no trouble.
- Trotzdem hat es mir sehr geholfen.It nevertheless helped me a lot.
- Ich hatte die Liste ohnehin gerade geöffnet.I had the list open anyway.
- Dann kam meine Frage zum passenden Zeitpunkt.Then my question came at the right time.
- Ja, ich konnte die Angabe sofort sehen.Yes, I could see the information immediately.
- Danke, dann ist mein offener Punkt erledigt.Thanks; that resolves my outstanding question.
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Watch out
“Das war wirklich kein Ärger.” → “Das war wirklich kein Aufwand.”: “No trouble” does not translate as Ärger, which means anger or problems with someone. For effort, German says Aufwand or Mühe.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: That brief check really was no trouble.
Show answer or example answer
Das kurze Nachschauen war wirklich kein Aufwand.
“Das kurze Nachschauen” is a nominalised infinitive, neuter and capitalised, and the subject. “Kein Aufwand” is the predicate noun in the nominative.
Put the words in order: die / geöffnet / gerade / hatte / Ich / Liste / ohnehin
Show answer or example answer
Ich hatte die Liste ohnehin gerade geöffnet.
“Hatte … geöffnet” is the past perfect: the list was open before the question came. “Ohnehin” means anyway, and “gerade” means at that moment.
Write this sentence in German: Thanks; that resolves my outstanding question.
Show answer or example answer
Danke, dann ist mein offener Punkt erledigt.
“Erledigt” is a participle used as an adjective: done. “Mein offener Punkt” is the subject, and “dann” links the result to the answer.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: That brief check really was no trouble.
Das kurze Nachschauen war wirklich kein Aufwand.
Put the words in order: die / geöffnet / gerade / hatte / Ich / Liste / ohnehin
Ich hatte die Liste ohnehin gerade geöffnet.
Write this sentence in German: Thanks; that resolves my outstanding question.
Danke, dann ist mein offener Punkt erledigt.
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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You picked up a parcel for your neighbour because you were at the post office anyway. When she thanks you, say it was no trouble and why.