How to Accept and Decline Invitations Politely in Mandarin Chinese
Learn beginner Mandarin ways to accept or decline invitations politely, with formal and informal options and phrases that soften a refusal.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In Mandarin Chinese, accepting an invitation is usually straightforward, but declining one needs care. A direct "no" can sound abrupt, so speakers often thank the person, give a brief reason, and sometimes offer a future alternative. This lesson teaches beginner-level phrases for accepting and declining invitations in both formal and informal situations. You will learn set expressions, simple grammar patterns, and how to soften a refusal without over-explaining. The focus is only on responding to invitations, not on extending them.
By the end, you can…
- accept an invitation politely in formal and informal Mandarin.
- decline an invitation politely and soften the refusal.
- use 谢谢, 对不起, and 下次 to respond appropriately.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
谢谢，我很愿意去。
Thank you, I'd be happy to go.
Xièxie, wǒ hěn yuànyì qù.
A warm, slightly formal acceptance. 愿意 means 'be willing', so it sounds sincere and polite.
好啊，我去。
Sure, I'll go.
Hǎo a, wǒ qù.
Informal and friendly, used with friends or people you know well. 啊 softens the tone.
对不起，我有事，不能去。
Sorry, I have something to do, so I can't go.
Duìbuqǐ, wǒ yǒu shì, bù néng qù.
A standard polite refusal. 有事 literally means 'have things to do' and is a common, vague reason.
谢谢你的邀请，可是我不太方便。
Thank you for the invitation, but it's not very convenient for me.
Xièxie nǐ de yāoqǐng, kěshì wǒ bú tài fāngbiàn.
Formal and indirect. 不太方便 softens the refusal and avoids giving a detailed excuse.
下次吧，这次不行。
Maybe next time, this time it won't work.
Xià cì ba, zhè cì bù xíng.
Informal refusal that keeps the relationship positive by mentioning a future time.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A polite refusal often follows this order: thank the person, say sorry or give a soft reason, then say you cannot go. For example: 谢谢你的邀请，对不起，我不能去。 (Xièxie nǐ de yāoqǐng, duìbuqǐ, wǒ bù néng qù.) You can also add 下次吧 (xià cì ba) to suggest another time. For acceptance, a simple pattern is 谢谢，我去 (Xièxie, wǒ qù) or 好啊，我去 (Hǎo a, wǒ qù). Notice that Chinese does not change verb forms for politeness; politeness comes from word choice and tone.
When to use it
Use formal phrases such as 谢谢你的邀请，可是我不太方便 with teachers, older people, or work contacts. Use informal phrases such as 好啊，我去 or 下次吧 with close friends. If you must decline, avoid a bare 不去 (bú qù), which can sound cold. Instead, say 对不起，我不能去 (Duìbuqǐ, wǒ bù néng qù) or 这次不行，下次吧 (Zhè cì bù xíng, xià cì ba). A short reason is enough; you do not need to give personal details.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
明天我请你吃饭，你有空吗？
I'd like to treat you to a meal tomorrow. Are you free?Míngtiān wǒ qǐng nǐ chīfàn, nǐ yǒu kòng ma?谢谢你的邀请，可是明天我有事，不能去。
Thank you for the invitation, but tomorrow I have something to do, so I can't go.Xièxie nǐ de yāoqǐng, kěshì míngtiān wǒ yǒu shì, bù néng qù.没关系，那下次吧。
That's all right, then maybe next time.Méi guānxi, nà xià cì ba.好，下次我请你。
Okay, next time I'll treat you.Hǎo, xià cì wǒ qǐng nǐ.A little context goes a long way
In many Mandarin-speaking contexts, a refusal is often softened with a brief reason and a mention of next time. Saying 下次吧 can show that you value the relationship, even if you do not plan a specific future meeting. With people you do not know well, 不太方便 is usually more polite than a detailed excuse. Directness varies by region, relationship, and setting, so match your tone to the person and situation.
One thing to watch for
Saying only 不去 (bú qù) to decline an invitation.
Try this instead: Add thanks and a soft reason: 对不起，我不能去 (Duìbuqǐ, wǒ bù néng qù) or 谢谢你的邀请，可是我不太方便 (Xièxie nǐ de yāoqǐng, kěshì wǒ bú tài fāngbiàn). This sounds polite and keeps the relationship positive.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely decline an invitation from a teacher?
Show a sample answer
谢谢你的邀请，可是我不太方便。
This uses 谢谢你的邀请 to show appreciation and 不太方便 to soften the refusal. Other polite options include 对不起，我不能去.
2What is a friendly, informal way to accept an invitation from a close friend?
Show a sample answer
好啊，我去。
好啊 is casual and warm, and 我去 clearly accepts. 谢谢，我去 is also fine, but it sounds a little more formal.
3Which phrase can you add to a refusal to suggest another time?
Show a sample answer
下次吧。
下次吧 means 'maybe next time' and softens the refusal. You can also say 下次我请你 to offer to treat the person later.
To accept, say 谢谢，我去 or 好啊，我去. To decline politely, thank the person, give a short soft reason, and add 下次吧 if you want to keep the door open.
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