{"id":182267,"date":"2022-08-27T16:15:24","date_gmt":"2022-08-27T20:15:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/thank-you-in-chinese\/"},"modified":"2025-01-28T05:46:42","modified_gmt":"2025-01-28T10:46:42","slug":"thank-you-in-chinese","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/chinese\/thank-you-in-chinese\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Ways to Say Thank You in Chinese (Plus Culture Tips)"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you’re learning Chinese, you might discover the many ways native Mandarin speakers can express gratitude beyond bowing or the basic \u8c22\u8c22 (xi\u00e8 xi\u00e8)\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 “Thank you.”<\/p>\n

In this guide, I’ll show you nine useful words and phrases<\/a> to say “thank you” in Chinese plus give you several cultural lessons at the end.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

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1. \u8c22\u8c22 (xi\u00e8 xi\u00e8)<\/em> \u2014 Thank you\u00a0<\/h2>\n

When in doubt, use \u8c22\u8c22. This is the default, basic way of saying “thank you” in passing, when you’re accepting gifts or every other casual encounter in between<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A variation of this barebones phrase includes \u591a\u8c22 (du\u014d xi\u00e8)\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 “Thanks a lot” which is used in SMS messages and notes as opposed to writing or typing \u8c22\u8c22.<\/p>\n

It’s\u00a0appropriate for casual spoken conversations<\/a> as well<\/strong>, like when you’re handed something at work.<\/p>\n

2. \u611f\u8c22\u00a0(g\u01cen xi\u00e8)\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 Many thanks<\/h2>\n

\u611f\u8c22<\/strong>\u00a0or \u975e\u5e38\u611f\u8c22\u4f60<\/strong> (f\u0113i ch\u00e1ng g\u01cen xi\u00e8 n\u01d0) <\/em>\u2014 “Thank you very much” can be used for extreme situations where you owe someone serious gratitude.<\/p>\n

This variation\u00a0is appropriate for many semi-formal interactions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

For example, if a classmate helps you out with a big part of a school project or a coworker covers you at work unexpectedly, then \u611f\u8c22<\/strong> or \u975e\u5e38\u611f\u8c22\u4f60<\/strong> are appropriate phrases to use.<\/p>\n

3. \u54ea\u91cc\u54ea\u91cc (n\u01ce li n\u01ce li) <\/em>\u2014 You’re flattering me<\/h2>\n

This is a rather cute expression similar to saying “Oh, stop!<\/em>” flirtatiously in English. \u54ea\u91cc\u54ea\u91cc<\/strong>\u00a0can be used for different non-romantic kinds of situations as well.<\/p>\n

This phrase roughly translates to “you flatter me” or “you’re too kind” and is used when receiving a compliment<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Whether you’ve received a flirtatious compliment from someone you’re crushing on or you’re being praised by your boss for your hard work recently, \u54ea\u91cc\u54ea\u91cc<\/strong> is an apt response.<\/p>\n

4. \u9ebb\u70e6\u4f60\u4e86 (m\u00e1 fan n\u01d0 le)<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 Sorry for the trouble<\/h2>\n

\u9ebb\u70e6\u4f60\u4e86<\/strong>\u00a0literally translates to “inconvenience to you.” This phrase sounds very self-deprecating in English, so “sorry for the trouble” is a more practical translation.<\/p>\n

It’s a great phrase to use when someone else has gone out of their way to help or work for you. <\/strong>Note that it isn’t quite a formal apology.<\/p>\n

Even if someone has done a favor for you that you didn’t ask for or if the work they’ve done for you wasn’t terribly inconvenient for them, \u9ebb\u70e6\u4f60\u4e86<\/strong> is an appropriate way of saying “thank you” with a bit more gusto.<\/p>\n

This phrase is common in office or business culture<\/a>.<\/p>\n

5. \u4e0d\u4e0d (b\u00f9 b\u00f9)<\/em> \u2014 No, no<\/h2>\n

Deflecting compliments is common in Mandarin Chinese, no matter your gender or the compliment that was given. It isn’t a self-deprecating practice, either.<\/p>\n

Actively behaving humbly is important in many Chinese-speaking cultures and makes one look very likable. If a young Westerner receives a compliment, they typically respond with “aw, thanks.” Not in Chinese culture!<\/p>\n

Simply waving your hands and saying “no way” is a good way to<\/strong> deflect a compliment and come off as humble, modest and admirable<\/strong>. We both know you deserved that compliment, but deflecting it just makes you look better.<\/p>\n

6. \u4f60\u592a\u597d\u5566 (n\u01d0 t\u00e0i h\u01ceo la)<\/em> \u2014 You’re the best<\/h2>\n

\u4f60\u592a\u597d\u5566<\/strong>\u00a0is a great expression to use between family, friends or people you know really well<\/strong> in a work or school environment.<\/p>\n

This phrase properly expresses thankfulness while lifting up someone you care about at the same time. Of course, you can expect a feverish response somewhere along the lines of \u4e0d\u4e0d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Even if your Mandarin-speaking friend deflects the gesture entirely, rest assured that you expressed your thankfulness in a way that made them feel pretty great about themselves.<\/p>\n

\u4f60\u592a\u597d\u5566<\/strong> probably shouldn’t be used in a formal situation<\/strong> with someone you don’t know super well or your boss. Keep it between you and your buds.<\/p>\n

7. \u8c22\u8c22\u5927\u5bb6…\u00a0(xi\u00e8 xi\u00e8 d\u00e0 ji\u0101…)\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 Thank you all…<\/h2>\n

When addressing a group at a formal banquet for<\/strong> a toast, a business meeting, a wedding or some\u00a0other large group setting that’s formal in nature<\/strong>, \u8c22\u8c22\u5927\u5bb6…\u00a0should be used as the first part of the phrase.<\/p>\n

The second part of this phrase should be specific. You could add:<\/p>\n

…\u7684\u5173\u6ce8\u3002<\/strong> (…de gu\u0101n zh\u00f9.) <\/em>\u2014 …for paying attention.<\/p>\n

…\u7684\u6765\u4e34\u3002<\/strong> (…de l\u00e1i l\u00edn.)<\/em> \u2014 …for coming here.<\/p>\n

For example:<\/p>\n

\u8c22\u8c22\u5927\u5bb6\u7684\u5173\u6ce8\u3002<\/strong> (xi\u00e8 xi\u00e8 d\u00e0 ji\u0101 de gu\u0101n zh\u00f9.)<\/em> \u2014 Thank you all for paying attention.<\/p>\n

\u8c22\u8c22\u5927\u5bb6\u7684\u6765\u4e34\u3002<\/strong> (xi\u00e8 xi\u00e8 d\u00e0 ji\u0101 de l\u00e1i l\u00edn.)<\/em> \u2014 Thank you all for coming here.<\/p>\n

It’s important to make the differentiation between thanking one person and a large\u00a0group. It’s also important to state what you’re thanking the large group for in a formal situation. Not too complicated, right?<\/p>\n

8. \u8c22\u8c22\u4f60\u7684 (xi\u00e8 xi\u00e8 n\u01d0 de) <\/em>+ Noun \u00a0\u2014 Thank you for…<\/h2>\n

Let’s build off those last few examples we just saw. When you want to thank someone for something specific\u2014like an object\u2014you can use \u8c22\u8c22\u4f60\u7684 + noun. For example:<\/p>\n

\u8c22\u8c22\u4f60\u7684\u5173\u5fc3\u3002<\/strong> (xi\u00e8 xi\u00e8 n\u01d0 de gu\u0101n x\u012bn.)<\/em> \u2014 Thank you for your concern.<\/p>\n

\u8c22\u8c22\u4f60\u7684\u793c\u7269\u3002<\/strong> (xi\u00e8 xi\u00e8 n\u01d0 de l\u01d0 w\u00f9.)<\/em> \u2013 Thank you for your gift.<\/p>\n

9. \u8c22\u8c22\u4f60 (xi\u00e8 xi\u00e8 n\u01d0) <\/em>+ Verb \u00a0\u2014 Thank you for…<\/h2>\n

Use this phrase if you want to thank someone for something they did. For example:<\/p>\n

\u8c22\u8c22\u4f60\u63d0\u9192\u6211\u3002<\/strong> (xi\u00e8 xi\u00e8 n\u01d0 t\u00ed x\u01d0ng w\u01d2.)<\/em> \u2013 Thank you for reminding me.<\/p>\n

\u8c22\u8c22\u4f60\u5e2e\u6211\u3002<\/strong> (xi\u00e8 xi\u00e8 n\u01d0 b\u0101ng w\u01d2.)<\/em> \u2013 Thank you for helping me.<\/p>\n

Gestures to Show Appreciation and Say Thank You in Chinese<\/h2>\n

Chinese culture is very heavy on gestures and non-verbal ways of expressing things, especially gratitude. Here are a few ways to say “thank you” without actually saying it.<\/p>\n