保重
bǎozhòng
The phrase 'bless you' in Chinese is translated as 保重 (bǎozhòng).
Unlike in English, there is no standard, widely used phrase in Chinese specifically used to say 'bless you' immediately after someone sneezes.
Meaning: said to somebody who has sneezed (intj)
How do you pronounce it?
bǎozhòng
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'bless you' to show politeness, saying 保重 bǎozhòng to a sneezing person might inadvertently imply you think they are facing a terminal or life-threatening situation.
- The word 保重 consists of 保 meaning 'to protect' and 重 meaning 'heavy' or 'important', literally asking someone to treat their health with importance.
- If you sneeze in a Chinese social setting, people may respond with 你感冒了吗? nǐ gǎnmào le ma? meaning 'Have you caught a cold?' rather than offering a blessing.
Example conversation
Yuting and Haoran are sitting in a classroom.
- 雨婷 Yuting（打喷嚏）(dǎ pēntì)(Sneezes)
- 浩然 Haoran保重！Bǎozhòng!Bless you!
- 雨婷 Yuting谢谢你，浩然。Xièxie nǐ, Hàorán.Thank you, Haoran.
- 浩然 Haoran没事。Méishì.No problem.
