With such a variety of ways to say thank you in Chinese, it is difficult to decide upon the best method. Although action is more highly valued in Chinese culture, it is possible to also express your thanks verbally. Knowing the best time, place, and method to do so will be essential in your gratefulness being well received, which is the entire reason for expressing it in the first place!
Thank You: Saying It in Chinese
If you want to say "thanks" in Chinese, you can simply use the character "Xie" which is said with the fourth tone. Generally, thanks is said as "Xie xie" because repetition in Mandarin implies emphasis. Yet, it is conceivable to only use the character once in order to express your thanks.
If you would like to say a full "thank you" in Chinese, then first consider whom you are addressing. If you are speaking with a peer or even someone younger than you, then the "you" you will use will be the commonly used character of "Ni" said with a falling and rising third tone. So, the entire phrase would then be "Xie xie ni."
But, if you want to address someone who is older or more respected, then you should probably utilize the more polite form, which is "nin." "Nin" is said with the rising second tone and sounds like you are asking a question because your voice rises at the end. If using this form, the phrase all together would be, "Xie xie nin," where the first character is said with the falling fourth tone, the middle character has no tone (the way we say things in English), and the final character is said with the rising second tone.
How to Say Thank You Very Much
Then, there are also several different way to say "thank you very much." Since different phrases are more popular in some areas, you'll soon find just by listening which is the most common way of saying thank you very much. But, keep in mind that saying anything as "very much" is not the norm in China. Since moderation is highly valued in Asian culture, it might be a while before you hear a phrase that expresses "very" anything!
Still, one way to say thank you very much is "Duo xie." While the first character "duo" is said with the level, first tone, the second character "xie" is still said with the falling fourth tone. "Duo" literally means much, many, or a lot, so literally translated, "Many thanks."
A second way to say thank you very much is to use the phrase that means "very much" or "extremely." This phrase is then combined with the phrase that means "to be grateful or thankful." But, look out, because it won't be in the same word order! Very much is actually said first, with the to be grateful following, essentially, "Fei chang gan xie."
How to Use Other Options for Thank You in Chinese
Additional options for saying thank you in Chinese that are as (if not more) powerful include several methods for taking action that are appropriate for Chinese culture. Although we have been trained that giving gifts is a great way to demonstrate thankfulness, let's explore some other options as well. To give help or assistance to another person is a far more potent way of showing thanks.
Consider ways in which you can assist the person to whom you are grateful. What about introducing them to someone who could help them with a problem, or who can open them or their family to other opportunities? What about preparing a meal for the person you wish to thank or even taking it to their home for the whole family to enjoy? Perhaps you have noticed something around their home that needs repair or can help them in the future when they need an item repaired. These are just some of the ways that you can demonstrate thankfulness through action.
Purchasing gifts is also another option, but not always as highly valued. This may mean buying lunch or dinner for the person you wish to thank, purchasing some type of special food or wine that is rather expensive, or a package of one of their favorite items, such as tea, cigarettes, or even a snack. The key here is to buy a gift that will be useful to the recipient, so that you can properly say thank you in Chinese.
Thank You: Saying It in Chinese
If you want to say "thanks" in Chinese, you can simply use the character "Xie" which is said with the fourth tone. Generally, thanks is said as "Xie xie" because repetition in Mandarin implies emphasis. Yet, it is conceivable to only use the character once in order to express your thanks.
If you would like to say a full "thank you" in Chinese, then first consider whom you are addressing. If you are speaking with a peer or even someone younger than you, then the "you" you will use will be the commonly used character of "Ni" said with a falling and rising third tone. So, the entire phrase would then be "Xie xie ni."
But, if you want to address someone who is older or more respected, then you should probably utilize the more polite form, which is "nin." "Nin" is said with the rising second tone and sounds like you are asking a question because your voice rises at the end. If using this form, the phrase all together would be, "Xie xie nin," where the first character is said with the falling fourth tone, the middle character has no tone (the way we say things in English), and the final character is said with the rising second tone.
How to Say Thank You Very Much
Then, there are also several different way to say "thank you very much." Since different phrases are more popular in some areas, you'll soon find just by listening which is the most common way of saying thank you very much. But, keep in mind that saying anything as "very much" is not the norm in China. Since moderation is highly valued in Asian culture, it might be a while before you hear a phrase that expresses "very" anything!
Still, one way to say thank you very much is "Duo xie." While the first character "duo" is said with the level, first tone, the second character "xie" is still said with the falling fourth tone. "Duo" literally means much, many, or a lot, so literally translated, "Many thanks."
A second way to say thank you very much is to use the phrase that means "very much" or "extremely." This phrase is then combined with the phrase that means "to be grateful or thankful." But, look out, because it won't be in the same word order! Very much is actually said first, with the to be grateful following, essentially, "Fei chang gan xie."
How to Use Other Options for Thank You in Chinese
Additional options for saying thank you in Chinese that are as (if not more) powerful include several methods for taking action that are appropriate for Chinese culture. Although we have been trained that giving gifts is a great way to demonstrate thankfulness, let's explore some other options as well. To give help or assistance to another person is a far more potent way of showing thanks.
Consider ways in which you can assist the person to whom you are grateful. What about introducing them to someone who could help them with a problem, or who can open them or their family to other opportunities? What about preparing a meal for the person you wish to thank or even taking it to their home for the whole family to enjoy? Perhaps you have noticed something around their home that needs repair or can help them in the future when they need an item repaired. These are just some of the ways that you can demonstrate thankfulness through action.
Purchasing gifts is also another option, but not always as highly valued. This may mean buying lunch or dinner for the person you wish to thank, purchasing some type of special food or wine that is rather expensive, or a package of one of their favorite items, such as tea, cigarettes, or even a snack. The key here is to buy a gift that will be useful to the recipient, so that you can properly say thank you in Chinese.
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For more detail on how to say thank you, see a brief video or check out my Squidoo lens where you can see the Chinese characters for all of these phrases!
