感谢您的宝贵时间
gǎnxiè nín de bǎoguì shíjiān
In Chinese, "thank you for your time" is expressed as 感谢您的宝贵时间 (gǎnxiè nín de bǎoguì shíjiān).
This phrase is most commonly used in formal business settings, such as at the end of a presentation, an interview or a formal email. It serves as a polite way to show gratitude to someone for spending their time listening to or helping you.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "thank you for your precious time". The word 宝贵 (bǎoguì) means "precious" or "valuable", and it is used to describe the time to add a layer of respect.
How do you pronounce it?
gǎnxiè nín de bǎoguì shíjiān
Did you know?
- The character 宝 in 宝贵 originally depicted a jade ornament in a vessel, reflecting a historical Chinese obsession with jade as the ultimate symbol of value.
- While 感谢 is the formal way to say 'thank you' in this phrase, in casual settings, Chinese speakers often avoid thanking people for 'time' entirely, as focusing on the cost of time can sometimes feel too transactional.
- Because 宝贵 (bǎoguì) implies high value, using it to describe someone's time is a way of 'giving face' to the listener in Chinese culture.
Examples in context
- 非常感谢您抽空见我 (fēicháng gǎnxiè nín chōukòng jiàn wǒ)Thank you very much for making time to meet me.
- 谢谢你抽出时间见我 (xièxiè nǐ chōuchū shíjiān jiàn wǒ)Thank you for taking the time to meet me.
- 谢谢您周末抽出时间参加我的婚礼 (xièxiè nín zhōumò chōuchū shíjiān cānjiā wǒ de hūnlǐ)Thank you for taking the time to attend my wedding this weekend.
- 感谢您的宝贵时间。Gǎnxiè nín de bǎoguì shíjiān.Thank you for your valuable time.
- 非常感谢您的宝贵时间。Fēicháng gǎnxiè nín de bǎoguì shíjiān.Thank you very much for your valuable time.
- 最后，感谢您的宝贵时间。Zuìhòu, gǎnxiè nín de bǎoguì shíjiān.Finally, thank you for your valuable time.
Example conversation
Xiaowen is finishing a brief business meeting with Wei.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen伟先生，感谢您的宝贵时间。Wěi xiānsheng, gǎnxiè nín de bǎoguì shíjiān.Mr. Wei, thank you for your valuable time.
- 伟 Wei不客气，晓雯。Bú kèqi, Xiǎowén.You're welcome, Xiaowen.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我们保持联系。Wǒmen bǎochí liánxì.Let's keep in touch.
- 伟 Wei好的，再见。Hǎo de, zàijiàn.Okay, goodbye.
