búyòngxiè: 不用谢 - You're Welcome

• Keywords: bu yong xie, buyongxie, 不用谢, how to say you're welcome in Chinese, Chinese for you're welcome, don't mention it in Chinese, no need to thank, response to xiexie, 不客气, 没事
• Summary: Learn how to say “You're welcome” in Mandarin Chinese with “不用谢” (bú yòng xiè). This page provides a deep dive into its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage, comparing it with alternatives like “不客气” (bú kèqi) and “没事” (méi shì). Perfect for beginners, this guide includes 10 example sentences, character breakdowns, and common mistakes to help you respond to “thank you” like a native speaker.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): bú yòng xiè
• Part of Speech: Phrase / Interjection
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: The most common and direct way to say “You're welcome” in Mandarin Chinese.
• In a Nutshell: “不用谢” literally translates to “no need to thank.” It's the standard, go-to response after someone thanks you. It's a polite and friendly way to express that the favor or help you provided was not a burden, effectively saying “Don't mention it” or “It was nothing.”

• 不 (bú): The character for “not” or “no.” Normally pronounced as `bù` (fourth tone), it changes to `bú` (second tone) when it comes before another fourth-tone character, like `用 (yòng)`.
• 用 (yòng): This character means “to use” or “to need.”
• 谢 (xiè): This character means “to thank.” It's the same character found in “谢谢” (xièxie).

When combined, 不用谢 (bú yòng xiè) creates the literal meaning “no need to thank.” This reflects a common politeness strategy in Chinese culture: deflecting praise or thanks to show humility.

• In Chinese culture, politeness and humility are highly valued. When someone does a favor, saying “不用谢” is more than just a stock phrase; it's a way to minimize the sense of debt or obligation the other person might feel. By saying “there's no need to thank me,” the speaker implies the action was effortless or a simple matter of course, which helps maintain a harmonious and balanced relationship.
• This can be contrasted with the Western, particularly American, “You're welcome.” While both serve the same function, “You're welcome” can sometimes carry a subtext of acknowledging that a favor was indeed performed and accepted. “不用谢,” on the other hand, actively deflects the thanks. It's a subtle but important difference that shifts the focus from “I accept your thanks for my effort” to “My effort was so small it doesn't require thanks.” This aligns with the cultural preference for not making others feel indebted.

• Everyday Default: “不用谢” is the most common and versatile way to say “you're welcome.” You can use it with strangers, friends, family, and colleagues. It's appropriate for nearly any situation, from someone holding a door for you to a friend helping you with a difficult task.
• Formality: It is generally considered neutral in formality. It's perfectly fine in casual, everyday conversations as well as in most professional settings like interacting with a shopkeeper, a waiter, or a colleague. In extremely formal or official situations, other phrases might be used, but “不用谢” is almost never wrong.
• Connotation: The connotation is polite, friendly, and standard. It doesn't carry a particularly warm or cold feeling; it's simply the correct and expected response.

• Example 1:
  • A: 谢谢你帮我拿东西！
  • B: 不用谢。
  • Pinyin: A: Xièxie nǐ bāng wǒ ná dōngxi! B: Bú yòng xiè.
  • English: A: Thanks for helping me carry my things! B: You're welcome.
  • Analysis: A classic, simple exchange. This is the most common usage you'll encounter.
• Example 2:
  • A: 太感谢你了，这个信息很有用。
  • B: 不用谢，我们是朋友嘛。
  • Pinyin: A: Tài gǎnxiè nǐ le, zhège xìnxī hěn yǒuyòng. B: Bú yòng xiè, wǒmen shì péngyou ma.
  • English: A: Thank you so much, this information is very useful. B: Don't mention it, we're friends.
  • Analysis: Here, “不用谢” is softened and made warmer by adding a reason (“we're friends”), reinforcing the idea that helping is natural and requires no thanks.
• Example 3:
  • (A waiter brings a glass of water)
  • A: 谢谢。
  • B: 不用谢。
  • Pinyin: A: Xièxie. B: Bú yòng xiè.
  • English: A: Thank you. B: You're welcome.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates its use in a service context. It's a polite and professional response.
• Example 4:
  • A: 你做的饭真好吃，谢谢你的招待！
  • B: 喜欢吃就好，不用谢。
  • Pinyin: A: Nǐ zuò de fàn zhēn hǎochī, xièxie nǐ de zhāodài! B: Xǐhuān chī jiù hǎo, bú yòng xiè.
  • English: A: The food you made is delicious, thank you for your hospitality! B: I'm glad you liked it, don't mention it.
  • Analysis: A common scenario when being a guest at someone's home. The host deflects the thanks by focusing on the guest's enjoyment.
• Example 5:
  • A: 谢谢你昨天送我回家。
  • B: 小事一桩，不用谢。
  • Pinyin: A: Xièxie nǐ zuótiān sòng wǒ huí jiā. B: Xiǎo shì yì zhuāng, bú yòng xiè.
  • English: A: Thank you for taking me home yesterday. B: It was a small thing, no need to thank me.
  • Analysis: Pairing “不用谢” with “小事一桩” (xiǎo shì yì zhuāng - a trivial matter) further emphasizes that the favor was no trouble at all.
• Example 6:
  • A: 麻烦你了，谢谢！
  • B: 不用谢，应该的。
  • Pinyin: A: Máfan nǐ le, xièxie! B: Bú yòng xiè, yīnggāi de.
  • English: A: Sorry to trouble you, thanks! B: You're welcome, it's what I should do.
  • Analysis: Adding “应该的” (yīnggāi de) is common when the help provided is part of one's job or responsibility. It means “it's my duty.”
• Example 7:
  • A: 老师，谢谢您的指导。
  • B: 不用谢，好好学习。
  • Pinyin: A: Lǎoshī, xièxie nín de zhǐdǎo. B: Bú yòng xiè, hǎohǎo xuéxí.
  • English: A: Teacher, thank you for your guidance. B: You're welcome, study hard.
  • Analysis: Shows the usage in a more formal student-teacher relationship. The response is polite and encouraging.
• Example 8:
  • A: 谢谢你的礼物，我很喜欢！
  • B: 你喜欢我就开心了，不用谢。
  • Pinyin: A: Xièxie nǐ de lǐwù, wǒ hěn xǐhuān! B: Nǐ xǐhuān wǒ jiù kāixīn le, bú yòng xiè.
  • English: A: Thank you for the gift, I love it! B: I'm happy that you like it, no need to thank me.
  • Analysis: A warm and friendly response to thanks for a gift.
• Example 9:
  • A: 喂？上次谢谢你借我钱。
  • B: 啊，没事，不用谢。
  • Pinyin: A: Wèi? Shàng cì xièxie nǐ jiè wǒ qián. B: À, méi shì, bú yòng xiè.
  • English: A: Hello? Thanks again for lending me money last time. B: Oh, it's nothing, don't mention it.
  • Analysis: Here, it's combined with “没事” (méi shì), another common response, to sound even more casual and reassuring.
• Example 10:
  • A: 多亏了你，不然我肯定迟到了。谢谢！
  • B: 不用谢，我们快走吧。
  • Pinyin: A: Duōkuī le nǐ, bùrán wǒ kěndìng chídào le. Xièxie! B: Bú yòng xiè, wǒmen kuài zǒu ba.
  • English: A: Thanks to you, otherwise I would have definitely been late. Thanks! B: You're welcome, let's get going.
  • Analysis: A practical, in-the-moment usage that is polite but also moves the conversation forward.

• False Choice Paralysis: Many learners spend too much time worrying about whether to use “不用谢” or “不客气” (bú kèqi). In 95% of situations, they are completely interchangeable. “不用谢” is slightly more direct (“no need for thanks”), while “不客气” is slightly more about the social dynamic (“don't be so polite”). As a beginner, you can use “不用谢” as your default and you will never be wrong.
• Common Mistake - Saying Nothing: A very common mistake for beginners is to simply nod or say “嗯” (en) after someone says “谢谢.” While this might be acceptable between very close friends in a very casual context, it can often come across as curt or even rude in most situations. Always make the effort to say “不用谢” or another polite equivalent.
• “不用谢” vs. “没事” (méi shì): “没事” (méi shì) literally means “it's nothing” or “no problem.” It's more casual than “不用谢” and is often used for very small things. For example, if you bump into someone and they say “对不起” (duìbuqǐ - sorry), you would reply “没事.” If they thank you for a small favor, “没事” also works and can sound very natural and relaxed. For bigger favors, “不用谢” is a safer and more standard choice.

• 谢谢 (xièxie): The word for “Thank you.” “不用谢” is the direct and most common response to it.
• 不客气 (bú kèqi): The most common synonym for “不用谢.” It means “Don't be polite” or “You're welcome,” and often feels slightly warmer.
• 没事 (méi shì): A casual alternative meaning “it's nothing” or “no problem.” Best for small favors or when you want to sound very relaxed.
• 别客气 (bié kèqi): Functionally identical to “不客气.” “别” (bié) is another way to say “don't.”
• 应该的 (yīnggāi de): Means “It's what I should do” or “It's my duty.” Used when the help is part of your role (e.g., a flight attendant helping a passenger). It can sound very polite and responsible.
• 小事一桩 (xiǎo shì yì zhuāng): An idiom meaning “a trivial matter” or “a piece of cake.” Used to strongly downplay the significance of the favor. It's more colloquial.
• 客气 (kèqi): The root word, meaning “polite” or “courteous.” Understanding this helps you understand why “不客气” means “you're welcome.”