# How to say thank you in Chinese URL: https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/thank-you-in-chinese/ Updated: 2026-11-05 Thank you in Chinese is 谢谢 (xiè xie). You can say it to anyone: a cashier, a driver, a stranger who shows you the way. The usual answer is 不客气 (bú kè qi, you’re welcome). ## The phrase **谢谢** (xiè xie): Thank you Pinyin is written the way the words are said, tone changes included, the same as in the game. ### What it means 谢谢 (xiè xie) means “thank you” or “thanks”. It is the same character twice. It fits every situation, from getting your change to a big favour. 谢谢你 (xiè xie nǐ, thank you) adds “you” and sounds a little warmer. ### How to say it Say xiè xie. xiè falls from high to low. xie is short and soft, with no tone. Two strong falls, xiè xiè, sound a little stiff. Keep the second one soft. ## When to use it ### When someone hands you something Your breakfast, your change, a room card. Say 谢谢 (xiè xie) as you take it. ### After someone helps you A stranger shows you the way to the metro. A clerk tells you where something is. Say 谢谢 (xiè xie) before you walk off. ### When someone praises your Chinese Say 谢谢 (xiè xie). Or give the modest answer, 只会一点点 (zhǐ huì yì dián diǎn, only a tiny bit). ### To say no politely Put 不用了 (bú yòng le, no need) in front: 不用了，谢谢 (bú yòng le, xiè xie, no need, thanks). That phrase has its own page. ## Other ways to say it Other ways to say thanks in the game. - **谢谢你！** (xiè xie nǐ!): Thank you! - When: Adds “you”. A little warmer. People say it after a real favour, like help finding something. - **谢谢你啊！** (xiè xie nǐ a!): Thank you! - When: Ends with a soft “a”. It sounds relaxed and warm. Older people say it, like a grandmother in a shop after you reach something on a high shelf for her. - **好的，谢谢** (hǎo de, xiè xie): OK, thanks - When: Say it when you accept advice or a suggestion. ## What people say back - **谢谢** (xiè xie): Thank you - When: A passer-by has shown you the way. - They may say: **不客气！** (bú kè qi!): You're welcome! (The most common answer to thanks.) - **谢谢** (xiè xie): Thank you - When: The hotel receptionist gives you your room card late at night. - They may say: **不客气，晚安！** (bú kè qi, wǎn ān!): You're welcome. Good night! - **谢谢** (xiè xie): Thank you - When: A driver tells you your Chinese is not bad. - They may say: **不客气！真的不错。** (bú kè qi! zhēn de bú cuò.): You're welcome! Really not bad. (He says he means it.) - **谢谢你！** (xiè xie nǐ!): Thank you! - When: Someone was glad to help you. - They may say: **不用谢** (bú yòng xiè): No need to thank (Another way to say you’re welcome.) ## Common mistakes ### Saying thanks back When someone thanks you, answer 不客气 (bú kè qi, you’re welcome) or 不用谢 (bú yòng xiè, no need to thank me). Saying 谢谢 (xiè xie) back sounds as if you did not hear them. ### Thanking family for every small thing Close family and friends rarely thank each other for small things. If you thank your hosts all the time, they may wave it away. That is normal. ### Two strong syllables Make the second syllable short and soft: xiè xie, not xiè xiè. ## Where it comes up in the game ### The first night The hotel receptionist hands you your room card. You say 谢谢 (xiè xie). She answers 不客气，晚安 (bú kè qi, wǎn ān, you’re welcome, good night). ### Asking the way You ask people on the street for the metro. The first ones do not know. An auntie pulling a shopping cart does. You say 谢谢 (xiè xie) and she answers 不客气 (bú kè qi). ### Praise from strangers A driver says your Chinese is not bad. You answer 谢谢 (xiè xie) or 只会一点点 (zhǐ huì yì dián diǎn, only a tiny bit), and he answers each one differently. At the mall, some people you ask for directions praise your Chinese first. You thank them, then they show you the way. ## Questions ### How do you say thank you in Chinese? Thank you in Chinese is 谢谢 (xiè xie). The first syllable falls. The second is short and soft. You can say it in any situation. ### How do you say you are welcome in Chinese? You’re welcome in Chinese is 不客气 (bú kè qi). Another common answer is 不用谢 (bú yòng xiè, no need to thank me). ### Why does 不 sound different in 不客气? 不 (bù, not) is bù on its own. Before a falling tone it becomes bú. 客 (kè) falls, so 不客气 (bú kè qi) is bú kè qi. ### What is the difference between 谢谢 and 谢谢你? 谢谢 (xiè xie) is “thanks”. 谢谢你 (xiè xie nǐ) is “thank you”, with “you” added. It sounds a little warmer and is often said after a real favour. ### How do I answer when someone says my Chinese is good? Say 谢谢 (xiè xie, thank you), or answer modestly with 只会一点点 (zhǐ huì yì dián diǎn, only a tiny bit). Both are normal. The modest answer often gets you more praise. ### Is it wrong to say both syllables of 谢谢 strongly? Two strong syllables are not wrong. People understand them everywhere. Native speakers make the second syllable short and soft: xiè xie. ## Related pages - [How to say no thank you in Chinese](https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/no-thank-you-in-chinese/): The polite way to turn down drivers, sellers and offers, and why it sounds softer than a plain “don’t want”. - [How to say I speak a little Chinese](https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/i-speak-a-little-chinese/): The modest answer to “can you speak Chinese?” and to praise, and how to say its tricky last three syllables. - [How to say excuse me in Chinese](https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/excuse-me-in-chinese/): What to say before you stop a stranger or after a small mistake, how it differs from a real “sorry”, and how people address strangers. - [Chinese for your first trip to China](https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/first-trip-to-china/): Ordering at a breakfast stall, asking for no chili, paying by phone, finding the metro and buying a train ticket.