Where I live, "No Problem" is rapidly becoming a standard answer to many 質問 and statements, including expressions of appreciation. For instance:
"Thank あなた so much for doing that!"
"No problem!"
Why is this an issue of interest to ファン of English? Because "no problem" is not an appropriate response. That is not to say that "no problem" is NEVER appropriate, just that its use is (and should be) pretty specific. "No problem" is ONLY an appropriate response in situations where a problem is explicit または implied. For instance, in the following interchange:
"Do あなた have a problem waiting your turn?"
"No problem!"
explicitly anticipates a problem, so "No problem" is an appropriate response. In addition, a problem can be implied, such as in this case:
"Can あなた do that によって yourself?"
"No problem!"
The 質問 "Can あなた do that によって yourself?" may imply an alternative where a problem exists, so what might really being asked is "Can あなた do that によって yourself, または is it too much of a problem for you?" (Note that a better answer to such a 質問 would be "yes" または "no", but since we're talking about the appropriate use of "no problem," rather than the best answer, I mentioned it)
"No problem" is not an appropriate response when a problem is NOT implied. For instance, when a person says "Thank you!", it is not correct to say "No Problem!" It would only be appropriate to say "no problem" to an expression of gratitude in an interchange like this:
"Thank あなた for coming all this way. I know it's a long way and traffic was really bad today."
"No problem!"
Note that in that example, a problem is at least implied.
"No problem" is also totally incorrect as a response to a request. For instance, when one is ordering 食 at a restaurant, it is never correct to reply with "No problem." Why? Because that would imply that fulfilling a simple order might be a problem in some other circumstance! The customer just wants some French Fries, why would there ever be a problem with that? Similarly, other simple requests, such as: "Would あなた hand me that test tube?", "Please wash your hands," and "Could あなた lend me a dollar?" should never be answered with "no problem." Saying "no problem" to such requests is tantamount to saying, "Normally I'd have a problem with that, but for あなた it's OK. This time." ...which is, of course, shocking when you're talking about passing the syrup at breakfast または something similar.
In most cases, "Yes", "gladly," and/or "You're welcome" are もっと見る correct than "no problem", which has a very limited correct use. Thus, if someone ever does respond to あなた with an inappropriate "no problem," あなた have my blessing to call them on it:
"Would あなた tell me the time?"
"No problem. It's three o'clock."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa - who 発言しました anything about a problem?? Would it have been a problem if it was four o'clock?"
"Thank あなた so much for doing that!"
"No problem!"
Why is this an issue of interest to ファン of English? Because "no problem" is not an appropriate response. That is not to say that "no problem" is NEVER appropriate, just that its use is (and should be) pretty specific. "No problem" is ONLY an appropriate response in situations where a problem is explicit または implied. For instance, in the following interchange:
"Do あなた have a problem waiting your turn?"
"No problem!"
explicitly anticipates a problem, so "No problem" is an appropriate response. In addition, a problem can be implied, such as in this case:
"Can あなた do that によって yourself?"
"No problem!"
The 質問 "Can あなた do that によって yourself?" may imply an alternative where a problem exists, so what might really being asked is "Can あなた do that によって yourself, または is it too much of a problem for you?" (Note that a better answer to such a 質問 would be "yes" または "no", but since we're talking about the appropriate use of "no problem," rather than the best answer, I mentioned it)
"No problem" is not an appropriate response when a problem is NOT implied. For instance, when a person says "Thank you!", it is not correct to say "No Problem!" It would only be appropriate to say "no problem" to an expression of gratitude in an interchange like this:
"Thank あなた for coming all this way. I know it's a long way and traffic was really bad today."
"No problem!"
Note that in that example, a problem is at least implied.
"No problem" is also totally incorrect as a response to a request. For instance, when one is ordering 食 at a restaurant, it is never correct to reply with "No problem." Why? Because that would imply that fulfilling a simple order might be a problem in some other circumstance! The customer just wants some French Fries, why would there ever be a problem with that? Similarly, other simple requests, such as: "Would あなた hand me that test tube?", "Please wash your hands," and "Could あなた lend me a dollar?" should never be answered with "no problem." Saying "no problem" to such requests is tantamount to saying, "Normally I'd have a problem with that, but for あなた it's OK. This time." ...which is, of course, shocking when you're talking about passing the syrup at breakfast または something similar.
In most cases, "Yes", "gladly," and/or "You're welcome" are もっと見る correct than "no problem", which has a very limited correct use. Thus, if someone ever does respond to あなた with an inappropriate "no problem," あなた have my blessing to call them on it:
"Would あなた tell me the time?"
"No problem. It's three o'clock."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa - who 発言しました anything about a problem?? Would it have been a problem if it was four o'clock?"
