How to Respond to 谢谢 in Chinese: Polite Basics for Beginners
Learn to reply to 谢谢 with 不客气, 不用谢, and 没事. Understand when each fits, from casual to formal, and practice with a short dialogue.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When someone says 谢谢 (xièxie) to you in Chinese, the most common reply is 不客气 (bú kèqi). This lesson teaches you exactly how to respond to thanks in Mandarin, focusing on three key phrases: 不客气, 不用谢, and 没事. You will learn their meanings, when to use each, and how to sound natural in both casual and polite situations. We will not cover how to give thanks, only how to reply. By the end, you will be able to choose the right response and use it confidently in real conversations.
By the end, you can…
- respond to 谢谢 with 不客气, 不用谢, or 没事.
- choose the right reply based on formality and situation.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
不客气
You're welcome
bú kèqi
The standard, polite reply to 谢谢. Use with strangers, elders, or in formal settings.
不用谢
No need to thank me
bú yòng xiè
Slightly more casual than 不客气, but still polite. Common among friends and acquaintances.
没事
No problem / It's nothing
méi shì
Very casual and friendly. Use with friends or when the favor was small.
别客气
Don't be polite / You're welcome
bié kèqi
Warm and reassuring. Often used when someone thanks you for something you did willingly.
应该的
It's what I should do
yīnggāi de
Humble and polite. Use when you helped as part of your duty or role, e.g., a host or service worker.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The most direct reply to 谢谢 is 不客气. It literally means 'don't be polite,' but functions as 'you're welcome.' For example: A: 谢谢! B: 不客气. Another common pattern is 不用谢, which means 'no need to thank.' Example: A: 谢谢你的帮助. B: 不用谢. For casual situations, 没事 works well: A: 谢谢! B: 没事. These are all complete sentences and can be used alone. You can also combine them, like 不客气，没事, but one is enough.
When to use it
Use 不客气 in formal or neutral situations: with strangers, elders, or in business. Use 不用谢 with friends, classmates, or people you know well. Use 没事 when the favor was small and you want to be casual. 别客气 is warmer and often used when someone thanks you for a gift or hospitality. 应该的 is humble and common in service or when you helped as part of your job. For example, if a colleague thanks you for covering a shift, 应该的 is appropriate. If a friend thanks you for passing the salt, 没事 is fine.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
谢谢你帮我拿书。
Thank you for helping me carry the books.Xièxie nǐ bāng wǒ ná shū.不客气。
You're welcome.Bú kèqi.这个礼物是给你的。谢谢！
This gift is for you. Thank you!Zhège lǐwù shì gěi nǐ de. Xièxie!别客气，我很高兴。
Don't mention it, I'm happy to.Bié kèqi, wǒ hěn gāoxìng.A little context goes a long way
In Chinese culture, responding to thanks is often brief and modest. 不客气 is safe in almost any situation. 不用谢 is slightly more casual but still polite. 没事 is very casual and best with friends. Avoid using 没事 in formal contexts, as it can sound dismissive. When in doubt, 不客气 is the most versatile choice.
One thing to watch for
Using 没事 in a formal situation, like thanking a teacher or boss.
Try this instead: In formal contexts, use 不客气 or 应该的 instead. For example, if your boss says 谢谢, reply 不客气, not 没事.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Your friend says 谢谢 after you lend them a pen. What is a natural reply?
Show a sample answer
没事 or 不用谢.
Both are casual and friendly. 不客气 is also acceptable but slightly more formal.
2A stranger thanks you for holding the door. What should you say?
Show a sample answer
不客气.
不客气 is the standard polite reply for strangers. 不用谢 is also fine but slightly less formal.
3Your teacher says 谢谢 after you hand in your homework. Which reply is most appropriate?
Show a sample answer
不客气 or 应该的.
Both are polite and respectful. 应该的 emphasizes that it's your duty as a student.
Remember: 不客气 is your safe default. Use 不用谢 with friends, 没事 for small favors, and 应该的 when you're just doing your job. Practice these and you'll respond naturally to 谢谢.
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