How to Say Thank You in Chinese
Learn how to say thank you in Mandarin Chinese. '谢谢' (Xièxie) is the everyday thanks. Pronunciation guide, tone notes, and how to say thanks formally and respond.
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Quick answer
To say thank you in Mandarin Chinese, say '谢谢' (Xièxie, syeh-syeh) — the everyday 'thanks.' For thank you very much, say '谢谢你' (Xièxie nǐ — thank you) or '非常感谢' (Fēicháng gǎnxiè — thank you very much). The standard reply is '不客气' (Bù kèqi, 'you're welcome'). The first syllable carries a falling 4th tone.
谢谢
/syeh-syeh/ — Chinese
How to Say Thank You in Chinese
Xièxie is one of the most useful words in Mandarin — and pronouncing it well introduces you to the pinyin “x” sound that’s key to good Chinese.
The Everyday Thanks: Xièxie
谢谢 — Xièxie — pronounced syeh-syeh (or “shyeh-shyeh”)
The first syllable dips on a falling 4th tone; the second is light (neutral tone).
Copy the Phrase
The Chinese word for “thank you” is 谢谢 (Xièxie, syeh-syeh).
The Pinyin “X” Sound
The letter x in pinyin isn’t the English “x” — it’s a soft, hissing “sh/sy” sound made with the tongue near the front of the mouth (lighter and more forward than English “sh”). So:
- Xièxie → “syeh-syeh” / “shyeh-shyeh”
Mastering the x sound (and its cousins q and j) is a key step in Chinese pronunciation.
Tones in Xièxie
- First 谢 (xiè) — falling 4th tone (`): the pitch drops sharply
- Second 谢 — neutral tone: short and light
So it sounds like “SYEH-syeh” — a strong dip, then light.
Levels of Thanks
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 谢谢 | Xièxie | Thanks / thank you |
| 谢谢你 | Xièxie nǐ | Thank you (warmer, personal) |
| 多谢 | Duōxiè | Many thanks (casual) |
| 非常感谢 | Fēicháng gǎnxiè | Thank you very much |
| 太感谢了 | Tài gǎnxiè le | Thank you so much |
| 非常感谢您 | Fēicháng gǎnxiè nín | Thank you very much (formal “you”) |
Xièxie vs. Gǎnxiè
- 谢谢 (Xièxie) — everyday, casual-to-neutral “thanks.” Used constantly.
- 感谢 (Gǎnxiè) — more formal and heartfelt (“to express gratitude”). For formal speech, writing, or deeper thanks (often as 非常感谢).
How to Say You’re Welcome
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 不客气 | Bù kèqi | You’re welcome (standard) |
| 不用谢 | Bù yòng xiè | No need to thank |
| 没事 | Méishì | It’s nothing |
| 没关系 | Méi guānxi | No problem / it doesn’t matter |
不客气 (Bù kèqi, boo kuh-chee) — literally “don’t be polite” — is the most common “you’re welcome.”
Pronunciation Recap
- Xièxie — SYEH-syeh (4th tone, then neutral)
- Bù kèqi — boo kuh-chee
- Gǎnxiè — gahn-syeh
- Remember: pinyin x = soft “sh/sy”
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce Xièxie?
'谢谢' (Xièxie) is pronounced roughly 'syeh-syeh' (or 'shyeh-shyeh'). The 'x' in pinyin is a soft 'sh/sy' sound (tongue near the front, like the 'sh' in 'she' but lighter). The first 谢 (xiè) carries a falling 4th tone (`); the second 谢 is in neutral tone (unstressed). So it dips down on the first syllable, light on the second: 'SYEH-syeh.'
What is the pinyin 'x' sound in Xièxie?
The pinyin letter 'x' represents a sound not in English — a soft, hissing 'sh/sy' made with the tongue near the front of the mouth (the blade of the tongue close to the hard palate). It's lighter and more forward than the English 'sh.' 'Xièxie' sounds like 'syeh-syeh' or 'shyeh-shyeh.' Mastering the 'x' sound (and the related 'q' and 'j') is a key step in Chinese pronunciation.
How do you say thank you very much in Chinese?
'谢谢你' (Xièxie nǐ) = thank you (adding 你/you makes it slightly warmer/more personal). '非常感谢' (Fēicháng gǎnxiè) = thank you very much ('fēicháng' = extremely/very). '太感谢了' (Tài gǎnxiè le) = thank you so much. '多谢' (Duōxiè) = many thanks (slightly more casual). For deep formal gratitude, '非常感谢您' (Fēicháng gǎnxiè nín) uses the respectful 'you.'
How do you respond to thank you in Chinese?
The standard reply is '不客气' (Bù kèqi, boo kuh-chee) = 'you're welcome' (literally 'don't be polite/no need for courtesy'). Other replies: '不用谢' (Bù yòng xiè — no need to thank), '没事' (Méishì — it's nothing), '没关系' (Méi guānxi — it doesn't matter / no problem). '不客气' is the most common and standard 'you're welcome.'
What is the difference between Xièxie and Gǎnxiè?
'谢谢' (Xièxie) is the everyday, casual-to-neutral 'thanks/thank you' — used constantly. '感谢' (Gǎnxiè) is more formal and heartfelt ('to express gratitude/be grateful') — used in formal speech, writing, or for deeper thanks, often as '非常感谢' (thank you very much). So 'xièxie' for everyday thanks, 'gǎnxiè' for more formal or emphatic gratitude.