22 Japanese ways to say “Let’s forget it”

Sometimes, we all want to just hit the reset button—move past an awkward moment, a mistake, or a misunderstanding. In Japanese, there are many warm and casual ways to say “Let’s forget it,” each carrying its own flavor and nuance.

Whether you’re chatting with friends or navigating a more formal setting, knowing these phrases can help you smooth over bumps with kindness and ease. It’s all about expressing forgiveness, moving on, and keeping the vibe positive.

Today, we’ll explore 22 Japanese expressions you can use to say “Let’s forget it,” complete with pronunciation guides and little tips to help you remember them.

It’s a fun journey into everyday Japanese, blending casual talk, polite phrases, and native expressions. By the end, you’ll have plenty of options to sound natural and sincere whenever you want to let things slide.

And remember, learning these expressions isn’t just about language—it’s about connecting with others and showing empathy in your conversations.

Ready to move forward together? Let’s dive in!

Understanding the Nuance of “Let’s Forget It” in Japanese

In Japanese, expressing “Let’s forget it” isn’t always direct. The language often prefers gentle, indirect ways to ease tension.

You’ll find a mix of phrases that literally mean “forget,” alongside ones that imply moving on or not dwelling on something. Context matters a lot here.

Using the right phrase can make your message feel more natural and caring.

Sometimes, a great Japanese conversation phrasebook can give you a perfect starting point to understand these nuances.

These expressions help you stay polite and warm, no matter the situation.

Let’s explore the different flavors of “Let’s forget it” starting with casual ways you can use with friends.

Part 1: Casual Suggestions

1. 忘れよう (Wasureyou) – “Let’s forget it.”

This is a straightforward way to say “Let’s forget it.”

忘れよう (wasureyou) comes from the verb 忘れる (wasureru) meaning “to forget,” plus the volitional form よう (you), which makes it a suggestion: “let’s forget.”

It’s casual and friendly, perfect for conversations with close friends.

Use it when you want to gently suggest moving on without making a big deal.

Related phrases include 忘れちゃおう (wasurechaou), which is even more casual and playful.

Try this one when you want to keep things light and positive.

2. 気にしないで (Ki ni shinaide) – “Don’t worry about it.”

This phrase literally means “don’t mind it” or “don’t worry.”

気にする (ki ni suru) means “to worry or care,” and the negative imperative しないで (shinaide) means “don’t do.” Together, it’s a friendly way to say “forget about it.”

It’s great for calming someone down or brushing off small mistakes.

Don’t confuse this with a more formal “please don’t worry,” which is 気にしないでください (ki ni shinaide kudasai).

Use this in relaxed settings to keep the mood light.

It’s a kind and easy phrase to remember for daily use.

3. もういいよ (Mou ii yo) – “It’s okay now.”

This phrase means “it’s fine now” or “enough already.”

もう (mou) means “already” or “now,” and いい (ii) means “good” or “okay.” The よ (yo) adds a friendly emphasis.

It’s casual and commonly used to signal “let’s not worry about it anymore.”

Perfect for when you want to quickly ease tension or end a topic.

It’s often used in everyday conversations among friends and family.

Try it to gently signal forgiveness or closure.

4. 気にしないでおこう (Ki ni shinaide okou) – “Let’s just not worry about it.”

This phrase combines the “don’t worry” idea with a volitional form to suggest “let’s not worry.”

おこう (okou) is the volitional of 置く (oku), meaning “to put” or “to leave as is.”

It implies a mutual decision to let the issue rest.

It’s casual but thoughtful, good for showing maturity in conversation.

Make sure to use it in contexts where both parties agree to move on.

A nice middle ground between casual and polite.

5. 水に流そう (Mizu ni nagasou) – “Let’s let it flow like water.”

This is a poetic way to say “let’s forget it” by imagining the problem flowing away like water.

水 (mizu) means “water,” 流そう (nagasou) is the volitional from 流す (nagasu), “to let flow.”

It’s a beautiful metaphor often used to forgive and forget.

Great for deeper conversations or when apologizing.

It shows emotional maturity and a desire to truly move on.

Try this to add a heartfelt touch to your apologies or reconciliations.

6. もう忘れよう (Mou wasureyou) – “Let’s just forget it already.”

A slightly stronger, more direct suggestion to forget something.

もう (mou) adds urgency or finality, while 忘れよう (wasureyou) means “let’s forget.”

Use this when you want to firmly close a chapter.

It’s casual but clear in intention.

Perfect for situations where dragging on won’t help.

It encourages everyone to move forward positively.

7. 気にしないでおこうよ (Ki ni shinaide okou yo) – “Come on, let’s not worry about it.”

This is a playful invitation to forget the issue together.

The よ (yo) at the end adds a friendly, encouraging tone.

It’s casual and perfect for close friends or siblings.

Use it to lighten the mood and invite others to move on.

Don’t use it in very formal situations, as it’s quite informal.

It’s a phrase that strengthens bonds by showing empathy.

8. それはそれ、これはこれ (Sore wa sore, kore wa kore) – “That’s that, this is this.”

This idiom means “let’s separate things and move on.”

It’s a way to say “let’s forget the past and focus on now.”

It’s casual but insightful, often used to reset conversations.

Great for avoiding conflict and keeping peace.

It reminds everyone to not mix issues or hold grudges.

Try it when you want to shift focus smoothly.

Part 2: Polite & Formal Suggestions

9. 忘れてください (Wasurete kudasai) – “Please forget it.”

A polite command form used to ask someone to forget something.

忘れて (wasurete) is the te-form of 忘れる (to forget), combined with ください (kudasai), meaning “please.”

Commonly used in formal or semi-formal contexts.

It’s direct but softened by the “please.”

Use it when apologizing professionally or in respectful conversations.

It’s a good phrase to practice for workplace Japanese.

10. 気にしないでください (Ki ni shinaide kudasai) – “Please don’t worry about it.”

This is the polite version of “don’t worry about it.”

It’s great for situations where you want to reassure someone respectfully.

Common in customer service, business, or with acquaintances.

Be careful not to use it too casually, as it sounds formal.

Pair it with a slight bow to show sincerity.

It’s a useful phrase to keep conversations smooth and respectful.

11. もう気にしないでください (Mou ki ni shinaide kudasai) – “Please don’t worry about it anymore.”

Adding もう (mou) adds a sense of closure and finality.

It politely asks someone to stop worrying altogether.

Perfect for more serious apologies or misunderstandings.

Helps to convey that the issue is truly behind you now.

Use it when you want to emphasize the end of a problem.

It’s a respectful way to ask for emotional closure.

12. それは気にしないでください (Sore wa ki ni shinaide kudasai) – “Please don’t mind that.”

This phrase politely tells someone not to mind or worry about “that.”

It’s specific and polite, often used to downplay small mistakes or inconveniences.

Great for formal social situations.

Helps maintain harmony by easing concerns.

It’s a phrase that shows respect and care simultaneously.

Use it when you want to gracefully defuse minor issues.

13. 過ぎたことは忘れましょう (Sugita koto wa wasuremashou) – “Let’s forget what’s past.”

A polite and slightly formal way to suggest forgetting past issues.

過ぎたこと (sugita koto) means “things that have passed,” 忘れましょう (wasuremashou) is the polite volitional “let’s forget.”

Used in serious conversations to encourage forgiveness.

Shows maturity and willingness to move forward.

Perfect for resolving conflicts or misunderstandings.

Try this phrase to promote peace and new beginnings.

14. そのことはなかったことにしましょう (Sono koto wa nakatta koto ni shimashou) – “Let’s pretend that didn’t happen.”

This phrase literally means “let’s make that thing like it never happened.”

It’s more formal and a bit indirect, often used to soften the impact of an apology.

Good for delicate situations where you want to erase a mistake from memory.

Use with care, as it can sound strong depending on tone.

It’s a respectful way to ask for forgiveness and a fresh start.

Great for professional or formal apologies.

15. ご心配なく (Go shinpai naku) – “No need to worry.”

A polite and concise phrase to tell someone not to worry.

ご (go) adds politeness, 心配 (shinpai) means “worry,” and なく (naku) means “without.”

Very useful in professional or formal contexts.

It’s a confident way to assure people that everything’s fine.

Use this to end conversations on a comforting note.

It’s a phrase that shows care and professionalism.

16. よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu) – “Please treat it well / Let’s move on.”

Though not literally “forget it,” this phrase often implies “let’s move forward positively.”

It’s polite and common in many situations, especially formal ones.

By saying this after an apology, you gently ask for goodwill going forward.

It’s versatile and a must-know phrase in Japanese culture.

Use it to close conversations with respect and optimism.

It’s a phrase that builds good relationships.

Part 3: Very Casual / Native-like Expressions

17. まあいいか (Maa ii ka) – “Well, whatever.”

This phrase shows a laid-back attitude of “let’s just let it go.”

まあ (maa) is a filler word like “well,” and いいか (ii ka) means “is it okay?”

Used when you don’t want to make a fuss over something small.

It’s very casual and common among young people.

Be careful not to use it in serious situations.

It’s a great phrase for everyday, chill conversations.

18. どっちでもいいよ (Docchi demo ii yo) – “Either way is fine.”

This phrase literally means “either way is fine,” implying “let’s not worry.”

It’s casual and shows flexibility or indifference.

Often used to quickly move past decisions or disagreements.

Good for friends or informal talks.

It’s a helpful way to keep peace without conflict.

Use it when you want to sound easy-going.

19. 気にすんなよ (Ki ni sunna yo) – “Don’t sweat it.”

A slangy, very casual way to say “don’t worry.”

気にする (ki ni suru) means “to care,” and すんな (sunna) is a rough negative imperative.

The よ (yo) adds friendly emphasis.

Use only with close friends or younger people.

It expresses a relaxed, “it’s no big deal” vibe.

A good phrase when you want to sound natural and laid-back.

20. もういいよ (Mou ii yo) – “It’s fine now.”

This phrase was also mentioned earlier but here it’s very casual and often used colloquially.

It’s short and to the point, great for stopping an argument or worry.

Common among all ages in informal talks.

Try it when you want to quickly say “let’s move on.”

It’s a versatile phrase to keep in your casual Japanese toolkit.

Perfect for everyday use.

21. ま、いいや (Ma, iiya) – “Ah, whatever.”

This is a very casual, almost dismissive way to say “let’s forget it.”

ま (ma) is a casual filler like “well,” and いいや (iiya) is a colloquial “no thanks” or “whatever.”

It’s often used to brush off minor disappointments or mistakes.

Use it only in informal settings with close friends.

It carries a playful, easy-going tone.

Great for sounding like a native speaker in casual chats.

22. 忘れたふりしよう (Wasureta furi shiyou) – “Let’s pretend we forgot.”

This phrase means “let’s pretend we forgot,” adding a playful twist.

忘れた (wasureta) is the past tense “forgot,” ふり (furi) means “pretending,” and しよう (shiyou) means “let’s do.”

Use it when you want to joke about forgetting something awkward.

It’s casual and fun, great for close friends.

Shows a lighthearted way to move on.

Try this to bring humor into forgetting mistakes.

Concluding Thought

Learning these 22 ways to say “Let’s forget it” in Japanese shows how rich and nuanced everyday language can be. From gentle reassurances to playful dismissals, each phrase helps smooth social interactions.

Remember, the key is to match your phrase to the situation and relationship, so your message feels natural and warm. These expressions are tools for kindness, connection, and moving forward.

Keep practicing, stay curious, and most importantly, keep the spirit of forgiveness alive in your conversations. You’ve got this!