不客气
bù kè qi
The English phrase 'your welcome' is translated into Chinese as 不客气 (bù kè qi).
The phrase 不客气 is the most common and standard way to say 'you're welcome' in Chinese. It is used as a polite response when someone expresses thanks to you.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, 不客气 means 'don't be polite' or 'no need for politeness'.
Which one should you use?
While 不客气 means 'you're welcome', you may also see the alternative 不用谢, which literally means 'no need for thanks'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese-speaking regions such as Hong Kong and parts of Guangdong province, people often say 唔使客气 to mean 'you're welcome'. In Taiwan, people often use 不會 to mean 'you're welcome' in Taiwanese Mandarin.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 不客气, the character 气 is often pronounced with a neutral tone in standard Mandarin.
How do you pronounce it?
bù kè qi
Did you know?
- If someone uses a very high level of politeness toward you, you might respond with 哪里哪里, which means 'where, where' and is a way of modestly deflecting a compliment or thanks.
- While 不客气 is standard, some speakers may simply nod or smile in response to a thank you. In certain traditional contexts, accepting a thanks too formally can actually imply a social distance between the two people.
- The character 客 in 不客气 refers to a guest, so the phrase literally instructs the listener to stop acting like a formal guest and relax.
Examples in context
- 不客气。Bù kèqì.You're welcome.
- 不用谢，不客气。Bùyòng xiè, bù kèqì.No need for thanks, you're welcome.
- 只是小事，不客气。Zhǐshì xiǎoshì, bù kèqì.It was just a small thing, you're welcome.
Example conversation
Wei helps Zihan carry a heavy bag.
- 梓涵 Zihan伟，谢谢你的帮助！Wěi, xièxie nǐ de bāngzhù!Wei, thank you for your help!
- 伟 Wei不客气，这没什么。Bù kèqì, zhè méi shénme.You're welcome, it's nothing.
- 梓涵 Zihan你真是太好了。Nǐ zhēnshì tài hǎo le.You are really so kind.
- 伟 Wei没事，不用客气。Méishì, bùyòng kèqì.It's okay, no need to be polite.
