Xie xie (谢谢) is a very common Chinese phrase that means “thank you” in Mandarin Chinese. It is one of the most frequently used expressions in daily conversations among Chinese speakers. Knowing how to appropriately reply to xie xie is an important skill to have when interacting with native Mandarin speakers or when living in China.
There are a few different ways to respond to someone saying xie xie to you that range from very simple and casual to more polite and formal. The best response depends on the situation, who you are talking to, and your relationship with them.
Casual Responses
In casual settings among friends, family members, and peers, there are a few simple Chinese phrases you can use to respond to xie xie:
Bu keqi (不客气)
This phrase directly translates to “you’re welcome” or “no need to be polite.” It’s the most common and standard response to thank you in Chinese. You’ll hear bu keqi used very frequently in daily conversations.
Mei shi (没事)
Mei shi literally means “no problem” or “it’s nothing.” This is another very common phrase Chinese people use after being thanked. It’s a humble way to downplay your helpfulness.
Mei guanxi (没关系)
Similar to mei shi, mei guanxi means “it doesn’t matter” or “never mind.” It’s another casual way to graciously accept someone’s thanks by suggesting that your help was no big inconvenience.
Ha ha (哈哈)
In very informal situations, you may also hear native speakers respond to xie xie simply by laughing and saying ha ha. This indicates amusement, acknowledgement, or gratitude in a friendly, lighthearted way.
Polite Responses
When interacting with people you don’t know well, in professional settings, or with elders, it’s better to use more polite phrases to reply to thank you in Chinese:
Bu yong xie (不用谢)
This phrase means “you’re welcome” or literally “no need to thank.” It’s the safest, most widely applicable way to graciously accept gratitude from someone. Bu yong xie works for both casual and formal situations.
Bú kèqì / bú yòng kèqì (不客气/不用客气)
This is a more polite version of bu keqi that directly translates to “no need to be polite.” You’ll sometimes hear it used with elders or in very formal situations.
Ní kèqìle (您客气了)
This phrase means “you are too kind” and is an extra polite way to deflect praise while showing humility. Use this when being thanked by someone deserving of respect like a professor, boss, or elderly person.
Bú huì ba (不会吧)
Bú huì ba loosely translates to “it’s nothing” or “don’t mention it.” It’s a modest way to downplay your helpfulness when thanked. This phrase is humble yet still polite.
Reciprocating Thanks
In Chinese culture, reciprocating gratitude is valued. Rather than just accepting thanks, it’s also appropriate to return the sentiment by thanking the other person in response. Here are some phrases you can use:
Nǐ yě xie xie (你也谢谢)
This simply means “thank you too” and is the most straightforward way to return thanks.
Wǒ yě xīn gǎn nǐ (我也辛苦你)
Literally meaning “I also appreciate your effort,” this phrase thanks the other person for their time and care. It shows you reciprocate their gesture.
Wǒ yě hěn gāo xìng (我也很高兴)
“I’m also very happy” is a warm way to express mutual appreciation and gratitude.
When to Use Each Response
Here is a quick guide for when to use different responses to xie xie:
Situation | Response |
---|---|
Casual setting with friend | Bu keqi, Mei shi, Ha ha |
Polite setting with elder | Bu yong xie, Bú kèqì, Ní kèqìle |
After small favor | Mei shi, Bú huì ba |
After big favor | Bú yòng kèqì, Nǐ yě xie xie |
Superior at work | Bú kèqì, Ní kèqìle |
Respected elder | Ní kèqìle, Wǒ yě xīn gǎn nǐ |
As you can see, the situation and relationship dictate the appropriate response more than the specific phrase itself. Focus on matching the formality level, using humble language with superiors and reciprocating gratitude to be polite.
Pronunciation Tips
Here are some pronunciation tips for common xie xie responses:
Bu keqi (不客气)
– Say the “u” in bu like “boo” without the “oo” sound.
– Pronounce ke as “kuh” and qi as “chee.”
– Emphasize the “qi” slightly.
Bu yong xie (不用谢)
– Say the “u” in bu like “boo” without the “oo” sound.
– Yong rhymes with “young.”
– Xie sounds like “shyeh” – make sure to pronounce the “h” sound.
Bú kèqì (不客气)
– Say the “u” in bú like “boo” with a rising tone.
– Kè sounds like “kuh” said in a rising tone.
– Qì sounds like “chee” said in a rising tone.
Nǐ yě xie xie (你也谢谢)
– Ni sounds like “nee.”
– Yě sounds like “yeh”
– Say each xie like “shyeh”
Conclusion
Responding appropriately to xie xie shows respect, humility, and other valued qualities in Chinese culture. Matching the casual or formal situational context is key. Simple phrases like bu keqi and bu yong xie are versatile for daily use. Reciprocating the sentiment also demonstrates good manners. With proper tone and pronunciation, you’ll be able to naturally incorporate these phrases into conversations. Being able to gracefully accept and return gratitude is a useful skill for building relationships and immersing yourself in Chinese language and culture.