Do you want toknow how to say thank you in Chinese?When visiting or interacting with Chinese-speaking countries, showing gratitude by saying “Thank You” in their native language can go a long way in building positive relationships and demonstrating respect for their culture.
In this article, we will explore 15 ways to say “Thank You” in Chinese, including the different ways to express gratitude in formal and informal settings. And will introduce the pronunciation of thank you in Chinese. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of how to show your appreciation in Chinese.
Part 1: Say Thank you for expressing Gratitude in Different Situations
In Chinese culture, expressing gratitude is an important aspect of etiquette and social interactions. It is considered polite and respectful to show appreciation in various situations such as receiving a gift, being helped by someone, or simply being grateful for someone’s presence.
In formal settings, the most common way to say “Thank You” is “谢谢 (xiè xiè),” which literally translates to “thanks.” This phrase can be used in almost any situation, whether it’s a business meeting or a formal event. It is also appropriate to use when expressing gratitude towards someone of higher social status, such as an elder or a superior.
Part 2: 15 Different Ways to Say Thank you in Chinese
Here are 15 different ways to say “Thank You” in Chinese, with each phrase carrying a unique level of gratitude and formality.
- 谢谢 (xiè xiè) – This is the most common way to express thanks in Chinese, suitable for both formal and informal situations.
- 多谢 (duō xiè) – Literally meaning “many thanks,” this phrase is slightly more formal than 谢谢 (xiè xiè).
- 非常感谢 (fēi cháng gǎn xiè) – This phrase conveys a strong sense of appreciation and can be used in both formal and informal settings.
- 十分感谢 (shí fēn gǎn xiè) – Similar to 非常感谢 (fēi cháng gǎn xiè), this phrase expresses extreme gratitude and is often used in more personal situations.
- 感谢您 (gǎn xiè nín) – Adding the honorific “您 (nín)” to 谢谢 (xiè xiè) makes the phrase more formal and respectful.
- 多多感谢 (duō duō gǎn xiè) – This phrase adds emphasis by repeating “感谢 (gǎn xiè),” translating to “many many thanks.”
- 谢谢你 (xiè xiè nǐ) – Adding the personal pronoun “你 (nǐ)” to 谢谢 (xiè xiè) makes the phrase more casual and suitable for informal situations.
- 非常非常感谢您 (fēi cháng fēi cháng gǎn xiè nín) – This phrase is a highly expressive way to show deep and sincere gratitude, especially in more formal or significant situations.
- 感激不尽 (gǎn jī bù jìn) – Literally meaning “gratitude without end,” this phrase conveys an immense amount of appreciation and can be used in both formal and informal contexts when you’re particularly grateful for someone’s help or kindness.
- 深感荣幸并感谢 (shēn gǎn róng xìng bìng gǎn xiè) – This expression means “I deeply feel honored and grateful.” It’s a sophisticated way to thank someone while acknowledging the privilege of their assistance, often used in very formal settings such as business, academic, or official events.
- 承蒙厚爱,不胜感激 (chéng méng hòu ài, bù shèng gǎn jī) – A more traditional and literary way to say “Thank you” which translates to “Enduring your kind favor, I am deeply grateful.” This phrase carries a sense of humility and profound thanks, suitable for expressing gratitude to someone who has shown exceptional generosity or support.
- 万分感谢您的关照 (wàn fèn gǎn xiè nín de guān zhào) – Meaning “a million thanks for your care and attention,” this expression is quite strong and is typically used when someone has gone above and beyond to assist you, reflecting a high level of respect and appreciation.
- 感谢您的厚爱与支持 (gǎn xiè nín de hòu ài yǔ zhī chí) – This phrase is a way to express deep gratitude for someone’s affection and backing in Chinese, suitable for formal or heartfelt appreciation scenarios; it can be translated as “I am deeply thankful for your love and support.”
- 承蒙您的眷顾与提携 (chéng méng nín de juàn gù yǔ tí xié) – In Chinese, this expression conveys immense thanks for someone’s favor and guidance, often used in more traditional or professional settings; the English equivalent would be “I am greatly indebted to you for your kindness and mentorship.”
- 对您的无私帮助表示衷心感谢 (duì nín de wú sī bāng zhù biǎo shì zhōng xīn gǎn xiè) – This sentence is used to sincerely thank someone in Chinese for their selfless assistance, applicable in both formal and informal contexts; it translates to “I sincerely express my heartfelt thanks for your generous help.”
Part 3: Pronunciation of Thank You in Chinese
Learning how to say “Thank You” in Chinese is not just about knowing the words, but also understanding the correct pronunciation. The pronunciation of “Thank You” in Chinese can be quite different from other languages, and it’s essential to get it right to avoid any misunderstandings.
In general, the phrase “谢谢 (xiè xiè)” is pronounced as “shee-eh shee-eh,” with the emphasis on the second syllable. However, when expressing deeper gratitude using phrases like “非常感谢 (fēi cháng gǎn xiè)” or “十分感谢 (shí fēn gǎn xiè),” the pronunciation may differ slightly.
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Part 4: Thank you in Chinese Formal and Informal
In Chinese culture, expressing gratitude is an essential aspect of etiquette and social interactions. In formal settings, the most common way to say “Thank You” is “谢谢 (xiè xiè),” which can be used in almost any situation. However, when expressing deep gratitude, there are other phrases such as “非常感谢 (fēi cháng gǎn xiè)” and “十分感谢 (shí fēn gǎn xiè)” that carry a stronger sense of appreciation.
In informal settings, phrases like “多谢 (duō xiè)” and “谢谢你 (xiè xiè nǐ)” are more suitable. Understanding how to say “Thank You” in Chinese, both formally and informally, can greatly enhance your interactions with Chinese speakers and show respect for their culture.
Part 5: What is Thank You in Chinese Mandarin?
In Mandarin Chinese, saying “Thank You” is a crucial aspect of etiquette and social interactions. The most common phrase for expressing gratitude in formal settings is “谢谢 (xiè xiè),” which can be used in various situations. However, there are alternative phrases like “非常感谢 (fēi cháng gǎn xiè)” and “十分感谢 (shí fēn gǎn xiè)” that convey a deeper level of appreciation.
In informal settings, phrases like “多谢 (duō xiè)” and “谢谢你 (xiè xiè nǐ)” are more suitable. Proper pronunciation is also crucial when saying “Thank You” in Chinese, with the emphasis on the second syllable of “谢谢 (xiè xiè).”
Part 6: How to Say Thank you Very Much in Chinese?
When expressing deep gratitude in Chinese, there are a few different ways to say “Thank you very much.” One common phrase is “非常感谢 (fēi cháng gǎn xiè),” which literally means “very much thank you.” This phrase can be used in both formal and informal settings, and it carries a stronger sense of appreciation than just “谢谢 (xiè xiè).”
Another way to express extreme gratitude is by saying “十分感谢 (shí fēn gǎn xiè),” which translates to “extremely thank you.” This phrase conveys an even deeper level of gratitude and is often used in more personal situations, such as when someone goes out of their way to help you.
Part 7: FAQs About How to say Thank You in Chinese:
Q1. How do I express gratitude towards someone who has helped me?
In this situation, you can use phrases like “谢谢你的帮助 (xiè xiè nǐ de bāng zhù),” which means “thank you for your help.” Other options include “非常感谢你 (fēi cháng gǎn xiè nǐ)” and “十分感谢你 (shí fēn gǎn xiè nǐ)” to convey a deeper level of gratitude. Also, remember to use the honorific “您 (nín)” when expressing thanks towards someone of higher social status.
Q2. Can I use casual phrases like “谢啦 (xiè lā)” in formal settings?
It is generally not recommended to use casual phrases like “谢啦 (xiè lā)” in formal settings. This phrase can be seen as too casual and may not convey a sincere sense of gratitude. Stick to more formal phrases like “谢谢 (xiè xiè)” or “多谢 (duō xiè)” in these situations. Be mindful of your tone and body language when expressing thanks in formal settings.
Summary
Expressing gratitude is an essential aspect of Chinese culture and there are various ways to say “Thank You” in Chinese language. From the common phrase 谢谢 (xiè xiè) to more formal phrases like 非常感谢 (fēi cháng gǎn xiè), knowing how to say Thank You in Chinese language can greatly enhance your interactions with Chinese speakers.
Remembering to express gratitude towards someone’s help or a gift is also important in Chinese culture, with phrases such as “谢谢你的帮助 (xiè xiè nǐ de bāng zhù)” and “这件礼物很漂亮 (zhè jiàn lǐ wù hěn piào liang).”
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Meng Lei
Master’s degree in Education from the University of Plymouth, UK. He has 8 years of Chinese literacy, Chinese classic words, Chinese pinyin and other Chinese enlightenment and international Chinese online teaching experience. He is proficient in Chinese and English and has served as a teacher in the K12 education system overseas for many years.