Thank You in Chinese Pronunciation: How to Say “Xièxie” Correctly (With Audio)

Saying “thank you” is one of the first things most people want to learn in Mandarin. But although the word seems simple, pronouncing it correctly is often challenging for English-speaking learners. Small changes in tone or stress can make the word sound unnatural or even confusing to native speakers.

This guide will show you exactly how to pronounce “thank you” in Chinese, explain tones in a beginner-friendly way, help you avoid common mistakes, and give you practical drills to improve your pronunciation step by step.

Looking for a fun way to learn Chinese? Try WuKong Chinese, made just for kids, taught by real native teachers.

What “Thank You” Is in Chinese: The Word “Xièxie”

The most common way to say thank you in Chinese is the word 谢谢, written in pinyin as xièxie.

It has two syllables:

• xiè (fourth tone)
• xie (neutral tone)

In the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), it is written as /ɕjɛ̂ ɕjɛ/.

Unlike many English words, tone and stress matter in Mandarin. The first syllable has a falling tone, and the second syllable is light and short. These two parts must work together to sound natural.

How to Pronounce “Xièxie” Correctly

The most important thing to remember is that the two syllables do not carry equal weight. Many beginners mistakenly pronounce both with strong, heavy tones, but only the first syllable is stressed.

Let’s break it down into 2 syllables:

1. xiè (Fourth Tone)

• A strong and clear falling tone
• Start high and drop sharply
• Similar to saying “yeah” but with the tongue closer to the front of the mouth and falling sharply in pitch

2. xie (Neutral Tone)

• Light
• Short
• No rising or falling
• Sounds like the soft echo of the first syllable

Think of the rhythm as:
XIÈ — xie
(strong — light)

This natural contrast is what makes native Mandarin speech sound smooth.

“Xièxie” Pronunciation Guide for English Speakers

To pronounce x, avoid the English “sh” sound.
Instead:

• Smile slightly
• Keep the tongue flat and close to the upper front teeth
• Blow air gently while saying something between “s” and “sh”

Then attach the vowel:

• “yeh” with the tongue forward and the sound lighter

Put them together:

• xiè → “sh-yeh” but shorter, tighter, and with a falling tone
• xie → a lighter “sh-yeh” without any strong pitch

Practice saying the first syllable clearly and letting the second float.

Other Ways to Say “Thank You” in Chinese Pronunciation

Beyond the basal “xièxie,” Mandarin features many versatile options for saying thank you in Chinese. depending on social situations. Delving into these nuanced variances is key for smooth interactions in Chinese culture.

Casual settings with friends feature bubbly bursty expressions like 谢啦 (Xiè la) which adds a playful particle “la” to the end of “xièxie.” Meanwhile, more formal occasions deserve the respectful variant 谢谢您 (xièxie nín) by employing the polite “nín” for “you.”

Thanking groups necessitates plural “you” words like 谢谢你们 (xièxie nǐmen) or the sophisticated 谢谢大家 (Xièxie dàjiā) which means “thank you everyone.” And when receiving gifts, short humble phrases like 您太客气了 (Nín tài kèqì le) meaning “you are too polite” are common.

These examples demonstrate the bursty breadth of options within Mandarin for delivering situationally appropriate appreciation. Rather than relying on just “xièxie,” leveraging the right variant strengthens relationships with Chinese speakers.

To explore more ways to say thanks in Chinese, you can check this article: Ways to Say Thank You in Chinese.

Common Pronunciation Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Understanding what to avoid can often be the fastest way to improve.

Mistake 1: Saying “shee-she”

This is the most common beginner error.
The English “sh” is too heavy; Mandarin x is lighter and more forward.

Fix:
Practice “see” while keeping your tongue slightly curled downward and your lips relaxed.

Mistake 2: Pronouncing Both Syllables as Fourth Tone

Some learners say xiè xiè with two strong falling tones.
This sounds overly formal or unnatural.

Fix:
Only the first syllable is fourth tone; the second syllable must be neutral.

Mistake 3: Using “shay-shay”

The vowel sound in Mandarin is not the English “ay” sound.

Fix:
Focus on producing “yeh” instead of “ay.”

Conclusion

Mastering the proper thank you in Chinese pronunciation requires conquering perplexing linguistic hurdles. From unique tongue placements articulating “xie xie” to memorizing situational variations, intentional practice is essential. Simultaneously, embracing the cultural customs underpinning expressing gratitude sets learners up for success. 

Looking for a fun way to learn Chinese? Try WuKong Chinese classes, made just for kids, taught by real native teachers.

FAQs about Thank You in Chinese Pronunciation

Mao Ying | WuKong Chinese Teacher

Master’s degree in International Chinese Education from Peking University. Dedicated to the field of Chinese language education, with 7 years of experience as an international Chinese language teacher.