Which one should you use?
While 谢谢 is the standard, you may encounter different variations: 多谢 is slightly more formal and can be used for both specific actions and general favors. To emphasize gratitude in a friendly manner, you can repeat the phrase as 多谢多谢. For a very casual tone among friends, use 谢啦 or 谢谢啦.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can make your thanks more direct and personal by adding the pronoun 你 (nǐ) after the verb, resulting in 谢谢你. To address someone with formal respect, such as a superior or an elder, replace the pronoun with the polite version 您 (nín) to say 谢谢您.
How do you pronounce it?
xièxie
When do people say it?
When someone says 谢谢 to you, the most common standard response is 不客气 (you're welcome). Among friends or peers, a common casual response is 没事, which implies 'it's nothing' or 'it was no trouble'.
Did you know?
- While 谢谢 is standard, the word 谢 originally meant 'to remove' or 'to wither', referring to the falling of flower petals in ancient texts.
- In some traditional Chinese family settings, saying 谢谢 to a close relative can actually be seen as too formal or distant, as if you are treating a family member like a stranger.
- Chinese culture historically emphasized 'reciprocal obligation' over verbal thanks, meaning a favor was often acknowledged through a return action rather than the word 谢谢.
Examples in context
- 谢谢您的帮助 (xiè xiè nín de bāng zhù)Thank you for your help.
- 非常感谢您的慷慨 (fēi cháng gǎn xiè nín de kāng kǎi)Thank you very much for your generosity.
- 谢啦，你真是个好人 (xiè la, nǐ zhēn shì gè hǎo rén)Thanks, you're such a good person.
- 谢谢你帮我解决问题 (xiè xiè nǐ bāng wǒ jiě jué wèn tí)Thank you for helping me solve the problem.
- 谢谢你的礼物。Xièxie nǐ de lǐwù.Thank you for your gift.
- 谢谢你请我吃饭。Xièxie nǐ qǐng wǒ chīfàn.Thank you for treating me to a meal.
Example conversation
A man gives a woman a cup of coffee in the office.
- 佳怡 Jiayi这是给你的咖啡。Zhè shì gěi nǐ de kāfēi.This is coffee for you.
- 浩然 Haoran谢谢你。Xièxie nǐ.Thank you.
- 佳怡 Jiayi不用客气。Bùyòng kèqì.You're welcome.
- 浩然 Haoran这杯咖啡很香。Zhè bēi kāfēi hěn xiāng.This coffee smells great.
