不客气
The English phrase "you're welcome" is translated into Chinese as 不客气.
不客气 is the most standard and versatile way to respond to "thank you" in Chinese. Other informal options include 别客气, which means "Don't be polite" and 没事, which means "No problem".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 不客气 literally means "don't be polite" or "no need for politeness".
Which one should you use?
While 不客气 is a general way to say "you're welcome", the phrase 不用谢 is more specifically used to mean "no need to thank me".
Did you know?
- While 不客气 is understood everywhere, in Taiwan you will more frequently hear 不會, which literally means 'will not' but functions exactly as 'you're welcome'.
- While 不客气 means 'don't be polite', in traditional Chinese social dynamics, being 'too polite' 太客气 can actually be seen as a sign of distance or coldness between friends.
- The term 客 in 不客气 refers to a 'guest', so the phrase can be viewed as telling the person not to act like a formal visitor.
Examples in context
- 不客气。You're welcome.Tatoeba #700670 by weipipi, translation #403068 by Ramses
- 别客气When a friend thanks you for treating them to a meal, you can respond with "别客气" (bié kè qì).
- 没事If your friend thanks you for lending them a pen, you can reply with "没事" (méi shì).
- 不用谢，不客气。bù yòng xiè, bù kè qì.No need to thank me, you're welcome.
Example conversation
Wei helps Xiaowen carry a heavy bag.
- 伟 Wei给你，包在这儿。Gěi nǐ, bāo zài zhèr.Here you go, here is the bag.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen谢谢你，伟！Xièxiè nǐ, Wěi!Thank you, Wei!
- 伟 Wei不客气。Bù kèqi.You're welcome.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你真好。Nǐ zhēn hǎo.You are so kind.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
