答えなくていい

you don't have to answer

→ 答える

phrase Uncommon #17,863

you don't have to answer A casual way to say that answering is not necessary. The pattern ～なくていい means “don’t have to ～” or “it’s okay not to ～.”

JA: 答えなくていいよ。無理に話さなくても大丈夫。

EN: You don't have to answer. It's okay if you don't want to talk.

You don't have to answer if you don't want to.

— オープン・ユア・アイズ (1997)

You don't have to answer this question.

You don't have to answer questions like this.

You don't have to answer.

— ア・フュー・グッドメン (1992)

If it bothers you, you don't have to answer.

— アメリカン・ギャングスター (2007)