всё равно

vsyo ravnó — it doesn't matter / all the same / anyway

What it really means

Literally "everything equally/level," "всё равно" means "it makes no difference," "I don't care," or "regardless." It is extremely versatile:

1. Indifference: "Мне всё равно" — "I don't care / It doesn't matter to me."
2. Persistence despite opposition: "Я всё равно пойду" — "I'm going anyway."
3. Inevitability: "Всё равно придётся платить" — "You'll have to pay regardless."

Do not confuse with "всё-таки" — "всё равно" is about indifference or despite-ness; "всё-таки" is about something happening after all / against expectations.

Examples in natural speech

Мне всё равно, куда ехать.
I don't care where we go.
Ты можешь уйти, но я всё равно останусь.
You can leave, but I'm staying anyway.
— Чай или кофе? — Всё равно.
— Tea or coffee? — Doesn't matter to me.
Он всё равно опаздывает, сколько бы я ни напоминал.
He's always late no matter how many times I remind him.
Всё равно придётся это сделать рано или поздно.
We'll have to do it sooner or later regardless.

Common mistakes

Learners sometimes translate "всё равно" as "everything is equal" — this is a word-for-word error. The phrase is idiomatic. Also, "мне всё равно" is neutral/dismissive, not rude — it simply means "I have no preference."

Memory tip

"Всё равно" = "everything's level" — flat, no preference, no difference. Like a shrug.

Frequently asked questions

What does всё равно mean in Russian?

"Всё равно" means "it doesn't matter," "all the same," or "anyway/regardless." "Мне всё равно" = "I don't mind / I don't care." "Я всё равно пойду" = "I'm going anyway."

What is the difference between всё равно and всё-таки?

"Всё равно" expresses indifference or persistence despite circumstances. "Всё-таки" means "after all / nevertheless" — something happened despite doubt or difficulty.

How do you say I don't care in Russian?

The most natural way is "Мне всё равно" (it's all the same to me) or "Мне не важно" (it's not important to me).

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