20 Authentic Ways to Say Thank You (Thanks) in Chinese: with Pinyin, Pronunciation

Want to learn the most natural ways to say “thank you” in Chinese? Whether you’re traveling, meeting Chinese speakers, or helping your child learn Mandarin, using the right expressions instantly shows respect and builds stronger connections.

In this short guide, WuKong Education introduces 20+ authentic ways to express gratitude in Chinese along with clear pronunciation tips. And if you want deeper, structured learning, WuKong’s online Mandarin classes can help your child master these expressions with confidence. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to say “thank you” like a native speaker.

The Most Common Thank You (Thanks) in Chinese

谢谢 | (xiè xie) | “Thank you” 

Wondering how to express gratitude in Chinese? The word you’ll use countless times is 谢谢 (Xièxie). Composed of the characters for “thank” (谢), it’s pronounced similar to “she-eh she-eh”. This is your everyday, all-purpose thank you, perfect for everything from a waiter bringing your food to a friend doing you a favor. For a slightly more personal touch, you can say 谢谢你 (Xièxie nǐ), which means “Thank you.”

How to pronounce Xie Xie?

The First “Xiè”: Say “she-eh”.

• Start with the “sh” sound.
• Glide directly into a “yeh” sound (like the “ye” in “yes”, but ending more abruptly).
• The Tone: Your voice must fall sharply, like you’re giving a stern command (“Do it!”). This is the Falling (4th) Tone.

The Second “Xie”: Say “sheh”.

• This is a much lighter, shorter, and more neutral sound.
• The Tone: Say it very lightly, with no rise or fall. It’s a short, flat sound. This is the Neutral (5th) Tone.

Put it together: “SHE-eh” (falling tone) + “sheh” (light and flat)

To explore more detail about thank you in Chinese pronunciation, you can check this article.

20 Authentic Ways to Say Thank You in Chinese

While “谢谢 (Xièxie)” is the universal word for “thank you” in Chinese, the language offers a rich variety of expressions to convey different levels of gratitude, formality, and nuance. The table below introduces 20 common expressions, sorted from the most casual and everyday uses to the most formal and specific.

How to Say Thank You (Thanks) in Chinese (English to Chinese)

Now that you’re familiar with the authentic phrases used by native speakers, you might be wondering how to directly translate some of the most common English expressions of gratitude into Chinese. The good news is, the sentiment carries over perfectly! Below is a practical English-to-Chinese guide, complete with Pinyin and characters, so you can easily apply your existing habit of thanking people in any situation.

Thank you / Thanks in Chinese

Chinese meaning: 谢谢
Pinyin: xiè xie
English phonetic: shieh shieh
Explanation: The most basic and universal way to say “thank you” in Chinese.

Thank you very much in Chinese

Chinese meaning: 非常感谢
Pinyin: fēi cháng gǎn xiè
English phonetic: fay-chahng gan-shieh
Explanation: A stronger and more polite version of “thank you.”

Thank you so much in Chinese

Chinese meaning: 太感谢你了
Pinyin: tài gǎn xiè nǐ le
English phonetic: tie gan-shieh nee luh
Explanation: Shows stronger emotion and deeper sincerity.

I really appreciate it in Chinese

Chinese meaning: 我真的很感激
Pinyin: wǒ zhēn de hěn gǎn jī
English phonetic: woh jun duh hen gan-jee
Explanation: Polite and sincere; often used in professional contexts.

I really appreciate your help.

Chinese meaning: 非常感谢你的帮助
Pinyin: fēi cháng gǎn xiè nǐ de bāng zhù
English phonetic: fay-chahng gan-shieh nee duh bahng-joo
Explanation: Used to thank someone for specific help.

You’re a lifesaver.

Chinese meaning: 你帮了大忙
Pinyin: nǐ bāng le dà máng
English phonetic: nee bahng luh dah mahng
Explanation: Used when someone helps you at a critical moment.

I appreciate your support.

Chinese meaning: 谢谢你的支持
Pinyin: xiè xie nǐ de zhī chí
English phonetic: shieh-shieh nee duh jr-chir
Explanation: Often used for long-term help or teamwork.

My heartfelt thanks.

Chinese meaning: 衷心感谢
Pinyin: zhōng xīn gǎn xiè
English phonetic: jong-sheen gan-shieh
Explanation: Very formal and often used in writing.

Many thanks in Chinese

Chinese meaning: 多谢
Pinyin: duō xiè
English phonetic: dwo shieh
Explanation: More common in written English; in Chinese it’s casual.

I am fine, thank you in Chinese

Chinese meaning: 我很好，谢谢
Pinyin: Wǒ hěn hǎo xiè xie
English phonetic: wo hen hao shieh shieh
Explanation: Not very common in Chinese.

What’s the Best Way to Respond to Compliments in Chinese?

In Chinese culture, direct acceptance of a compliment can sometimes be perceived as arrogant. The most common and polite strategy is humble deflection. The goal is not to reject the compliment outright, but to show modesty. Here are the most effective ways to respond gracefully:

1. The Classic Modest Denial

This is the cornerstone of responding to compliments in Chinese.

哪里哪里 (Nǎli nǎli)

• Literal Meaning: “Where? Where?”
• What it really means: “I’m not that good.” or “You’re flattering me.”
• Usage: The most traditional and famous response. It softly pushes the praise away. You can also use the slightly more formal variation 您过奖了 (Nín guòjiǎng le), which means “You flatter me.”

2. The Humble Rejection

A simple and very common way to show you don’t fully accept the praise.

没有没有 (Méiyǒu méiyǒu) or 不不 (Bù bù)

• Literal Meaning: “No, no.”
• What it really means: “I’m not [as good as you say].” or “It was nothing.”
• Usage: Said quickly with a smile, this is a gentle way to disagree with the compliment without sounding argumentative.

3. Crediting Others or Circumstance

This shifts the praise away from yourself, which is seen as very gracious.

Response Example: If someone compliments your cooking, you could say:

谢谢！你太会说话了 (Xièxie! Nǐ tài huì shuōhuà le)

• Meaning: “Thank you! You’re so good with words.” (Acknowledges their kindness while deflecting).

4. The Modern Hybrid Approach

With globalization, many younger people, especially in cities, now combine a quick “thank you” with a modest phrase. This is often the easiest and most natural approach for foreigners.

谢谢！不过我还需要学习 (Xièxie! Bùguò wǒ hái xūyào xuéxí)

• Meaning: “Thanks! But I still have a lot to learn.”

谢谢你的鼓励 (Xièxie nǐ de gǔlì)

• Meaning: “Thank you for your encouragement.” (This accepts their kindness but frames the praise as “encouragement,” which feels more humble).

Key Takeaway: The core principle is modesty. While a simple “谢谢 (Thank you)” is becoming more common, pairing it with a humble phrase or deflecting the praise will always be seen as polite and culturally aware.

Chinese Hand Gesture for Thank You

1. The Nod and Smile (Most Common)

The Gesture: A genuine, warm smile accompanied by a slight nod of the head while saying “thank you.”

What it Means: This is the universal, go-to gesture for daily interactions. The nod and smile act as a warm amplifier to the verbal thanks, instantly showing the other person your appreciation.

When to Use It: Use this in virtually any casual situation—when a waiter brings your food, a colleague holds the door, or a stranger does you a small favor. It’s the foundation of polite interaction.

2. Using Both Hands

The Gesture: Receiving or giving an item (like a business card, gift, or even change) with both hands.

What it Means: This is a silent but powerful way to show respect and gratitude. The action itself communicates, “I value you and what you are giving me.”

When to Use It: Essential in business settings (exchanging cards), social situations (receiving a gift), or when being served tea. It’s a fundamental sign of good manners.

3. Pouring Tea or Drinks

The Gesture: At a dining table, the act of pouring tea for others, especially after they have poured for you, is a gesture of mutual respect and thanks. The related custom is the “Finger Kowtow” (叩指礼, kòu zhǐ lǐ): lightly tapping your bent index and middle fingers on the table when someone pours your tea.

What it Means: This is a way to non-verbally say “thank you” without interrupting the flow of conversation. The Finger Kowtow legend says it mimics kneeling in gratitude.

When to Use It: Common during meals, especially in more traditional or casual restaurant settings with round tables.

4. The Hands-Pressed-Together (双手合十)

The Gesture: Placing your palms together gently in front of your chest, fingers pointing upwards, with a slight bow of the head.

What it Means: While influenced by Buddhist culture, this gesture is widely used to express a deep, heartfelt “thank you” or “I’m sorry.” It carries more weight and emotion than a simple verbal thanks.

When to Use It: Use it in informal settings when you are profoundly grateful to a friend or elder. It’s also more common in southern China and is often used when words alone feel insufficient.

5. The Fist and Palm Salute (拱手礼, Gǒngshǒu Lǐ)

The Gesture: The right hand is made into a fist, and the left hand is placed over the fist, with the thumb slightly tucked in. The hands are then shaken gently up and down a few times at chest level.

What it Means: This is a traditional Chinese greeting and sign of respect, originating from ancient times. It conveys formal thanks and honor.

When to Use It: Typically seen during traditional festivals (like Chinese New Year), weddings, martial arts demonstrations, or in very formal cultural contexts. It saw a modern revival during the pandemic as a contact-free greeting.

6. Seeing a Guest Out

The Gesture: Personally accompanying your guest to the door, the elevator, or even seeing them off to their car.

What it Means: This is a behavioral way of expressing thanks. It shows you highly value their visit and are reluctant to see them leave.

When to Use It: After hosting someone in your home or concluding a business meeting at your office.

FAQs About How to say Thank You in Chinese

Bella | WuKong Chinese Teacher

Master’s degree from Yangzhou University. Possessing 10 years of experience in K-12 Chinese language teaching and research, with over 10 published papers in teh field of language and literature. Currently responsible for teh research and production of “WuKong Chinese” major courses, particularly focusing on teh course’s interest, expansiveness, and its impact on students’ thinking development. She also dedicated to helping children acquire a stronger foundation in Chinese language learning, including Chinese characters, phonetics (pinyin), vocabulary, idioms, classic stories, and Chinese culture. Our Chinese language courses for academic advancement aim to provide children with a wealth of noledge and a deeper understanding of Chinese language skills.