不要，謝謝 / 不要
The English phrase "no thank you" is translated into Mandarin as 不要，謝謝 / 不要. If unsure, use 不要，謝謝 / 不要. Wiktionary also lists 谢谢 (bùyào, xièxie).
Meaning: polite way of saying no (intj)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 不要，謝謝 / 不要 | |
| 谢谢 | bùyào, xièxie |
This phrase is used as a polite way of saying no. While 不要，謝謝 / 不要 literally expresses that you do not want something, it is a standard way to say no. In conversational Mandarin, you might also use 不用了 to soften a refusal and make it sound more natural.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 不要 is composed of 不 (not) and 要 (want/will/need), which literally means "don't want".
Which one should you use?
While 不要，謝謝 literally means "don't want, thank you", using 不用，谢谢 is often more natural and polite when you are declining an offer of service or an item.
Did you know?
- When declining a gift or food, it is common to politely refuse several times before finally accepting, a practice known as 'refusal etiquette'.
- In traditional Chinese culture, a direct 'no' can be seen as too harsh, so people often use 我想想 (let me think about it) as a polite way to say 'no thank you' without saying the word 'no' at all.
- Depending on the tone, 不要 can shift from a polite refusal to a desperate plea for someone to stop doing something.
Examples in context
- 不要，谢谢。我吃饱了。No, thank you. I'm full.The sentence is useful for declining food because you are full when using 谢谢.Tatoeba #385096 by kellenparker, translation #65670 by CK
- 不用，谢谢。我只看一看.No, thank you. I'm just looking.This sentence is useful for declining assistance while shopping using 谢谢.Tatoeba #2879630 by Popolon, translation #66813 by CK
- 不，谢谢。我不需要塑料袋。No thank you, I don't need a plastic bag.This sentence is useful for declining an item like a bag using 谢谢.Tatoeba #1545675 by clare, translation #1335215 by Saney
- 当然不用了，谢谢你的邀请。(Dāngrán bú yòng le, xièxiè nǐ de yāoqǐng.)Of course, no need, thank you for the invitation.
- 不必了，我已经有其他安排了。(Bù bì le, wǒ yǐjīng yǒu qítā ānpái le.)No need, I already have other plans.
- 谢谢，我还是不要了，但我很感激你的好意。(Xièxiè, wǒ háishì bù yào le, dàn wǒ hěn gǎnjī nǐ de hǎoyì.)Thank you, I still don't want it, but I appreciate your kindness.
- 别给我再倒茶了，不用了，谢谢。(Bié gěi wǒ zài dào chá le, bú yòng le, xièxiè.)Don't pour me more tea, no need, thank you.
- 不好意思，我不要了，谢谢。(Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ bù yào le, xièxiè.)Sorry, I don't want it, thank you.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no thank you” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
