What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "thank you for your guidance", where 指导 (zhǐdào) means "guidance" or "instruction".
Which one should you use?
While 谢谢你的指导 (xièxie nǐ de zhǐdào) focuses on the abstract concept of "guidance", 谢谢你教我 (xièxie nǐ jiāo wǒ) is more direct and focuses on the act of the person teaching you a specific skill or subject.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Replacing 你 (nǐ) with 您 (nín) makes the phrase more respectful and is the standard way to address a teacher, mentor or superior. Examples of formal variations include 谢谢您教导我, 感谢您的教诲, 衷心感谢您的指导。 and 万分感谢您的教导。 Informal ways to express this include 谢谢你教我。 and 多谢你教我。
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, 多謝你教我。 is an informal way to say thank you for teaching me. In Taiwanese Mandarin, 謝謝您教導我。 is a formal way to say thank you for teaching me. In Sichuanese, 多谢你教我。 is an informal way to say thank you for teaching me.
How do you pronounce it?
xièxie nǐ de zhǐdào
Did you know?
- The formal pronoun 您 used in these phrases is created by adding the symbol for 'heart' 心 underneath the character for 'you' 尔 in its ancient form, visually placing the person in one's heart.
- When thanking a teacher, some students use the phrase 师恩难忘 (shī ēn nán wàng), which means 'the kindness of a teacher is difficult to forget', treating the teaching as a debt of honor.
- In many Chinese-speaking regions, a verbal 'thank you' for instruction is often accompanied by a slight nod of the head to show respect to the elder's status.
Examples in context
- 谢谢你的指导。Xièxiè nǐ de zhǐdǎo.Thank you for your guidance.
- 老师，谢谢你的指导。Lǎoshī, xièxiè nǐ de zhǐdǎo.Teacher, thank you for your guidance.
Example conversation
A student is thanking her mentor after a project completion.
- 佳怡 Jiayi浩然，谢谢你的指导。Hàorán, xièxiè nǐ de zhǐdǎo.Haoran, thank you for your guidance.
- 浩然 Haoran不客气，你做得很好。Bù kèqì, nǐ zuò de hěn hǎo.You're welcome, you did very well.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我会继续努力的。Wǒ huì jìxù nǔlì de.I will keep working hard.
- 浩然 Haoran加油，我看好你。Jiāyóu, wǒ kànhǎo nǐ.Keep it up, I believe in you.
