不用了，谢谢
bù yòng le, xièxie
No thanks in Chinese is 不用了，谢谢 (bù yòng le, xièxie).
不用了，谢谢 is a standard, polite way to decline an offer of food, service or assistance. Other ways to decline include 不需要 (bù xū yào), which means 'do not need' or the informal 不要了 (bú yào le), meaning 'do not want'. In informal situations, you might hear 算了 (suàn le), which translates to 'forget it' or 'let it be'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 不用了 (bù yòng le) literally means 'no need' or 'no longer need'.
Which one should you use?
Omitting the thanks and just saying 不用了 is still common and acceptable in casual settings, but adding 谢谢 (xièxie) makes it more polite. For an even more formal or extra-polite way to decline a helpful gesture, you can say 不用了，麻烦您了, which means 'no thanks, sorry to trouble you'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 不用了, the particle 了 (le) indicates a change of state, implying that while an offer might have been considered, it is now being declined.
How do you pronounce it?
bù yòng le, xièxie
Did you know?
- In many Chinese social contexts, saying 不用了 (bù yòng le) once is not enough. It is common to decline an offer several times before finally accepting it to avoid appearing greedy.
- While 谢谢 (xièxie) means 'thanks', using it too often in very close relationships, like with parents or siblings, can actually feel cold or distant.
- The phrase 麻烦您了 (má fan nín le), used in formal declines, uses a word 麻烦 (má fan) that literally means 'troublesome'. In Chinese, acknowledging that you are a 'trouble' is a key way to show respect.
Examples in context
- 不用了，谢谢。吃得很饱了。No need, thank you. I'm full.
- 不要了，下次再约吧。No, thanks. Let's do it another time.
- 不用了，谢谢。Búyòng le, xièxie.No thanks.
Example conversation
Wei offers to carry Zi Han's bag.
- 伟 Wei需要我帮你提包吗？Xūyào wǒ bāng nǐ tí bāo ma?Do you need me to help you carry your bag?
- 梓涵 Zihan不用了，谢谢，不重。Bùyòngle, xièxiè, bù zhòng.No thanks, it's not heavy.
- 伟 Wei好的，那你慢慢走。Hǎo de, nà nǐ mànman zǒu.Okay, then take your time walking.
- 梓涵 Zihan好的，再见。Hǎo de, zàijiàn.Okay, goodbye.
