How to Say ‘No Problem’ in Portuguese: Sem Problema or Imagina — Practice

Use sem problema for a direct ‘no problem’

Sem problema literally means ‘no problem’ and works after thanks or an apology. It is clear in person and in messages.

Use imagina to respond warmly to thanks

Imagina is a common, friendly Brazilian response to obrigado or obrigada. In this use, it is similar to ‘don’t mention it’ or ‘it was nothing.’ It can also mean ‘imagine,’ so context matters.

Use tudo bem to accept a minor inconvenience

Tudo bem? asks ‘is everything okay?’; as a response to an apology, tudo bem can mean ‘it’s okay.’ For a bigger issue, acknowledge what happened and explain what you need next.

Remember: Use sem problema for clarity, imagina for a warm response to thanks, and tudo bem when accepting a small mistake.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. Thanks for waiting. — No problem!

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Obrigado por esperar. — Sem problema!

2. Sorry I’m late. — No problem, I just arrived too.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Desculpa pelo atraso. — Sem problema, eu também cheguei agora.

3. Thanks for the help! — Don’t mention it!

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Obrigada pela ajuda! — Imagina!

4. Not at all, it was a pleasure to help.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Imagina, foi um prazer ajudar.

5. Sorry I forgot. — It’s okay, it happens.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Desculpa por esquecer. — Tudo bem, acontece.

6. Thanks for letting me know.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Valeu por avisar.

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Use sem problema for clarity, imagina for a warm response to thanks, and tudo bem when accepting a small mistake.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our How to Say ‘No Problem’ in Portuguese: Sem Problema or Imagina? lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.