How to say polite phrases in Chinese
"Polite phrases" in Chinese is 不客气 (bù kè qi). It is built from "don't stand on ceremony". A few phrases cover most polite moments: 不客气 answers thanks, 很高兴认识你 greets someone new, and 不好意思 or 请问 gets a stranger's attention.
Ways to say polite phrases
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| 不客气 | bù kè qi | polite phrases | The default answer. |
| 没事 | méi shì | no problem | You're welcome, casual: reply to thanks or an apology from friends |
| 不用谢 | bù yòng xiè | no need to thank me | You're welcome, friendly: reply to thanks for a small favor |
| 很高兴认识你 | hěn gāo xìng rèn shi nǐ | nice to meet you | Nice to meet you: meeting someone new, casual or formal |
| 幸会 | xìng huì | pleased to meet you | Nice to meet you, formal: business introductions, often doubled as 幸会幸会 |
| 久仰大名 | jiǔ yǎng dà míng | I've heard so much about you | Nice to meet you, very formal: meeting someone whose reputation you know |
| 借过 | jiè guò | excuse me, coming through | Excuse me: squeezing past people on a bus or in a crowd |
| 不好意思 | bù hǎo yì si | excuse me, sorry | Excuse me: getting attention, a small apology, asking a favor |
| 请问 | qǐng wèn | excuse me, may I ask | Excuse me: before asking a stranger or staff a question |
| 打扰一下 | dǎ rǎo yī xià | sorry to bother you | Excuse me: interrupting someone who is busy or talking |
| 劳驾 | láo jià | excuse me, would you mind | Excuse me, old-fashioned: polite requests, heard more from older northern speakers |
What people say back
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 我也很高兴认识你 | wǒ yě hěn gāo xìng rèn shi nǐ | nice to meet you too |
| 幸会幸会 | xìng huì xìng huì | a pleasure to meet you |
| 没关系 | méi guān xi | it's fine |
Example sentences
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 谢谢你帮我搬家！不客气，有事再找我。 | xiè xie nǐ bāng wǒ bān jiā! bù kè qi, yǒu shì zài zhǎo wǒ. | Thanks for helping me move! You're welcome, just call me if you need anything. |
| 王老师，很高兴认识您。 | wáng lǎo shī, hěn gāo xìng rèn shi nín. | Teacher Wang, it's a pleasure to meet you. |
| 请问，附近有银行吗？ | qǐng wèn, fù jìn yǒu yín háng ma? | Excuse me, is there a bank nearby? |
| 不好意思，借过一下。 | bù hǎo yì si, jiè guò yī xià. | Excuse me, can I just get past? |
| 打扰一下，这个座位有人吗？ | dǎ rǎo yī xià, zhè ge zuò wèi yǒu rén ma? | Sorry to bother you, is this seat taken? |
The characters in 不客气
Common mistakes
- "You're welcome" is 不客气, not 欢迎: 欢迎 only welcomes someone arriving.
- 不 is said bú in 不客气 and 不用谢 (before a fourth tone) but bù in 不好意思 (before a third tone). The pinyin in the tables here writes bù throughout.
- Match "excuse me" to the situation: 请问 before a question, 借过 to get past, 打扰一下 to interrupt, 不好意思 for almost anything small.
- 行 in 银行 (bank) is háng, not xíng.
Related
- Thank you in Chinese: 谢谢
- Sorry in Chinese: 对不起
- Please in Chinese: 请
- Welcome in Chinese: 欢迎
- All phrases and words
Frequently asked questions
How do you say polite phrases in Chinese?
不客气 (bù kè qi), literally "don't stand on ceremony". Other ways: 没事 (méi shì); 不用谢 (bù yòng xiè); 很高兴认识你 (hěn gāo xìng rèn shi nǐ).
How do you say you're welcome in Chinese?
Say 不客气 (bù kè qi). 不用谢 (bù yòng xiè) and the casual 没事 (méi shì) also work.
How do you say nice to meet you in Chinese?
Say 很高兴认识你 (hěn gāo xìng rèn shi nǐ). In a formal business setting, 幸会 (xìng huì) is also used.
How do you say excuse me in Chinese?
It depends: 请问 (qǐng wèn) before asking a question, 借过 (jiè guò) to get past someone, 打扰一下 (dǎ rǎo yī xià) to interrupt, and 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) for small apologies.
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