Where I live, "No Problem" is rapidly becoming a standard answer to many tanong and statements, including expressions of appreciation. For instance:
"Thank you so much for doing that!"
"No problem!"
Why is this an issue of interest to fans 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 or implied. For instance, in the following interchange:
"Do you 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 you do that sa pamamagitan ng yourself?"
"No problem!"
The tanong "Can you do that sa pamamagitan ng yourself?" may imply an alternative where a problem exists, so what might really being asked is "Can you do that sa pamamagitan ng yourself, or is it too much of a problem for you?" (Note that a better answer to such a tanong would be "yes" or "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 you 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 pagkain 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 you hand me that test tube?", "Please wash your hands," and "Could you 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 you it's OK. This time." ...which is, of course, shocking when you're talking about passing the syrup at breakfast or something similar.
In most cases, "Yes", "gladly," and/or "You're welcome" are madami correct than "no problem", which has a very limited correct use. Thus, if someone ever does respond to you with an inappropriate "no problem," you have my blessing to call them on it:
"Would you tell me the time?"
"No problem. It's three o'clock."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa - who sinabi anything about a problem?? Would it have been a problem if it was four o'clock?"
"Thank you so much for doing that!"
"No problem!"
Why is this an issue of interest to fans 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 or implied. For instance, in the following interchange:
"Do you 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 you do that sa pamamagitan ng yourself?"
"No problem!"
The tanong "Can you do that sa pamamagitan ng yourself?" may imply an alternative where a problem exists, so what might really being asked is "Can you do that sa pamamagitan ng yourself, or is it too much of a problem for you?" (Note that a better answer to such a tanong would be "yes" or "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 you 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 pagkain 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 you hand me that test tube?", "Please wash your hands," and "Could you 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 you it's OK. This time." ...which is, of course, shocking when you're talking about passing the syrup at breakfast or something similar.
In most cases, "Yes", "gladly," and/or "You're welcome" are madami correct than "no problem", which has a very limited correct use. Thus, if someone ever does respond to you with an inappropriate "no problem," you have my blessing to call them on it:
"Would you tell me the time?"
"No problem. It's three o'clock."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa - who sinabi anything about a problem?? Would it have been a problem if it was four o'clock?"
