dar igual
verbCEFR B1
What does “dar igual” mean in English?
it doesn't matter, it's all the same to me
it doesn't matter, it's all the same to me (gustar-type: me da igual; + noun / que + subjunctive)
Example sentences
Me da igual dónde vamos a cenar, lo que importa es que estemos todos juntos antes de que te vayas de viaje.
I don't mind where we go for dinner; what matters is that we are all together before you go on your trip.
A mi hermana le da igual lo que piense la gente; siempre hace lo que quiere sin importarle la opinión ajena.
My sister doesn't care what people think; she always does what she wants without caring about other people's opinions.
¿Os da igual si cambiamos la reunión al lunes? Es que el martes tengo un compromiso que no puedo aplazar.
Do you mind if we move the meeting to Monday? The thing is, on Tuesday I have an engagement I can't postpone.
How to use it
Dar igual means 'it doesn't matter', 'it's all the same to me', or 'I don't mind'. Like gustar, it is an impersonal expression where the thing that 'doesn't matter' is the grammatical subject and the person who doesn't mind is marked with an indirect object clitic (me, te, le, nos, os, les). Me da igual means 'I don't mind / it's all the same to me'. Both a noun (me da igual el precio) and a clause (me da igual si vienes o no) can follow. Dar igual que + subjunctive is used when the clause refers to uncertain or future events: me da igual que llueva.
Common mistake
Like gustar, the indirect object clitic is essential — you cannot say '*da igual a mí' without the clitic (you need me da igual). The subject of the verb is the thing that doesn't matter, not the person: 'el precio me da igual' (price = subject, me = indirect). Do not confuse with no importa (similar but more formal and more emphatic) or no me importa (I don't care — slightly stronger connotation).