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-====== kèqi: 客气 - Polite, Courteous, You're Welcome ======
-===== Quick Summary =====
-  * **Keywords:** 客气, keqi, kèqi, what does keqi mean, you're welcome in Chinese, Chinese politeness, how to use keqi, 不客气, bu keqi, being polite in China, Chinese culture, don't stand on ceremony
-  * **Summary:** 客气 (kèqi) is a fundamental concept in Chinese social etiquette that goes beyond the English word "polite." It embodies a sense of courteousness, modesty, and formality, often used by hosts to make guests feel welcome ("don't stand on ceremony") or as a common response to "thank you" (meaning "you're welcome" or "don't mention it"). Understanding when to be 客气—and when not to be—is key to navigating social relationships in China, from business meetings to dinner with friends.
-===== Core Meaning =====
-  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** kèqi
-  * **Part of Speech:** Adjective, Verb
-  * **HSK Level:** HSK 3
-  * **Concise Definition:** To be polite, courteous, or formal; often used as an injunction to not stand on ceremony, or as a set phrase for "you're welcome."
-  * **In a Nutshell:** Imagine you are a guest in someone's home. You would likely be well-behaved, modest, and careful not to impose. This "guest-like" behavior is the core of `客气`. It's a form of social lubricant that shows respect and maintains harmony. However, it can also be used to tell someone to drop the formality ("别客气 / bié kèqi," literally "don't be a guest") and relax.
-===== Character Breakdown =====
-  * **客 (kè):** This character means "guest," "visitor," or "customer." It pictures a person (人) entering a house (宀).
-  * **气 (qì):** This character means "air," "gas," "spirit," or "manner/demeanor."
-  * **Combined Meaning:** Together, 客气 (kèqi) literally translates to "guest air" or "guest-like manner." This perfectly captures the idea of behaving with the politeness, respect, and slight formality one would expect from a guest.
-===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
-  * `客气` is a cornerstone of Chinese social interaction, deeply tied to the concepts of **[[面子]] (miànzi) - face** and maintaining social harmony. To be `客气` is to show respect and give the other person face. For example, when offered a gift, a person will often politely refuse a few times out of `客气` to show they are not greedy. The giver, in turn, will insist, also out of `客气`. This ritual, known as **[[推让]] (tuīràng)**, strengthens social bonds.
-  * **Comparison to Western Culture:** In many Western cultures, particularly American culture, directness and informality are often prized. A host might say "Make yourself at home," and they generally expect the guest to do so immediately. In China, the host's phrase **别客气 (bié kèqi)** serves a similar function, but it's an invitation to begin a gradual process of dropping formality. If a Chinese friend says you are being "太客气了 (tài kèqi le)"—too polite—it can be a gentle criticism that you are creating too much social distance. Among very close friends and family, being `客气` can even be seen as a sign that you consider them an outsider (**[[见外]] (jiànwài)**). The goal is to find the right balance of politeness for the specific relationship and situation.
-===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
-  * **1. As "You're Welcome":** This is perhaps the most common usage for beginners. In response to `谢谢 (xièxie)`, you say `不客气 (bú kèqi)`. It literally means "not polite" but functionally means "Don't mention it" or "You're welcome." It implies a relationship where such thanks are unnecessary.
-  * **2. As an Invitation to Relax:** A host will constantly say `别客气 (bié kèqi)` or `你太客气了 (nǐ tài kèqi le)` to a guest. This means "Don't stand on ceremony," "Make yourself at home," or "Please, help yourself." It's an encouragement to eat more, take something, or relax.
-  * **3. To Describe a Person's Behavior:** You can use `客气` as an adjective to describe someone as polite and courteous, which is generally a compliment, especially for people you don't know well.
-  * **4. As a Negative (Creating Distance):** With close friends, being too `客气` is a negative. It implies you are treating them like a stranger. A friend might complain, `我们之间还客气什么？(Wǒmen zhījiān hái kèqi shénme?)` meaning "Why are you being so formal with me?"
-===== Example Sentences =====
-  * **Example 1:**
-    * A: 谢谢你的帮助！ B: **不客气**。
-    * Pinyin: A: Xièxie nǐ de bāngzhù! B: **Bú kèqi**.
-    * English: A: Thank you for your help! B: You're welcome.
-    * Analysis: This is the most standard and frequent use of `客气`. `不客气` is a warm, common response to thanks.
-  * **Example 2:**
-    * 你**别客气**，多吃点儿菜。
-    * Pinyin: Nǐ **bié kèqi**, duō chī diǎnr cài.
-    * English: Don't be so polite, have some more food.
-    * Analysis: A classic phrase used by a host during a meal. It's a direct command to the guest to drop their formality and eat freely.
-  * **Example 3:**
-    * 你的新邻居怎么样？他很**客气**，人不错。
-    * Pinyin: Nǐ de xīn línjū zěnmeyàng? Tā hěn **kèqi**, rén búcuò.
-    * English: How is your new neighbor? He's very courteous, a pretty good guy.
-    * Analysis: Here, `客气` is used as a simple adjective to describe someone's polite and respectful demeanor.
-  * **Example 4:**
-    * A: 您的中文说得真好！ B: 哪里哪里，您太**客气**了。
-    * Pinyin: A: Nín de Zhōngwén shuō de zhēn hǎo! B: Nǎlǐ nǎlǐ, nín tài **kèqi** le.
-    * English: A: Your Chinese is so good! B: Not at all, you're too kind.
-    * Analysis: `您太客气了` is a very common way to deflect a compliment. It shows humility and is a key part of being `谦虚 (qiānxū) - modest`.
-  * **Example 5:**
-    * 我们都是一家人，你不用这么**客气**。
-    * Pinyin: Wǒmen dōu shì yījiā rén, nǐ búyòng zhème **kèqi**.
-    * English: We are all family, you don't need to be so formal.
-    * Analysis: This sentence emphasizes that formality (`客气`) is unnecessary within a close-knit group.
-  * **Example 6:**
-    * 我们是好朋友，你再这么**客气**，我就生气了啊！
-    * Pinyin: Wǒmen shì hǎo péngyou, nǐ zài zhème **kèqi**, wǒ jiù shēngqì le a!
-    * English: We're good friends, if you keep being so polite, I'm going to get angry!
-    * Analysis: This shows the negative side of `客气`. Being overly formal with a close friend can be seen as creating distance and is a sign of being `见外 (jiànwài)`.
-  * **Example 7:**
-    * （吃完饭后）那我就**不客气**了，我先走了。
-    * Pinyin: (Chī wán fàn hòu) Nà wǒ jiù **bù kèqi** le, wǒ xiān zǒu le.
-    * English: (After a meal) Well then, I won't stand on ceremony, I'll make a move.
-    * Analysis: Here, a person says `那我就不客气了` to signal they are accepting the informal atmosphere and will now do something directly, like leaving or taking something. It's a polite way to be direct.
-  * **Example 8:**
-    * 如果您有什么问题，请**别客气**，随时问我。
-    * Pinyin: Rúguǒ nín yǒu shénme wèntí, qǐng **bié kèqi**, suíshí wèn wǒ.
-    * English: If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me at any time.
-    * Analysis: This is a common phrase in customer service or business settings. It's a formal and polite way to say "feel free to ask."
-  * **Example 9:**
-    * 这只是个小礼物，请您**别客气**，收下吧。
-    * Pinyin: Zhè zhǐshì ge xiǎo lǐwù, qǐng nín **bié kèqi**, shōu xià ba.
-    * English: This is just a small gift, please don't be so polite, just accept it.
-    * Analysis: This is often said by a gift-giver when the recipient is refusing out of politeness. It's part of the social ritual of gift-giving.
-  * **Example 10:**
-    * A: 这顿饭我来请！ B: 你怎么这么**客气**！不行，我们AA制。
-    * Pinyin: A: Zhè dùn fàn wǒ lái qǐng! B: Nǐ zěnme zhème **kèqi**! Bùxíng, wǒmen AA zhì.
-    * English: A: I'll treat you to this meal! B: Why are you being so formal/generous! No way, let's go Dutch.
-    * Analysis: In this context, calling someone `客气` is a way of saying "that's too generous of you" while gently refusing their offer.
-===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
-  * **False Friend Alert:** Don't equate `客气` one-to-one with "polite." While it's the best translation, `客气` is an action and a behavior that can be dialed up or down. Being "too polite" (`太客气`) is a common social misstep in China, whereas in the West it's less of a defined concept.
-  * **Common Mistake 1: Being `客气` with close friends.** A beginner might think it's always good to be polite and continue saying `不客气` or refusing things from a very close friend. This can unintentionally create distance and make your friend feel like you see them as a stranger.
-  * **Common Mistake 2: Not understanding the "three-refusal" rule.** When offered something (a gift, a seat, food), a person is culturally expected to refuse once or twice out of `客气` to show they are not imposing or greedy. If you immediately accept, you might appear a bit rude. If the person insists, you should generally accept on the second or third offer. This is the **[[推让]] (tuīràng)** ritual.
-  * **Common Mistake 3: Confusing `不客气` and `不用谢 (búyòng xiè)`.** Both mean "you're welcome." However, `不客气 (bú kèqi)` is warmer and more common, implying "we're close, so there's no need for such formalities." `不用谢 (búyòng xiè)` literally means "no need to thank" and is a bit more neutral or slightly more formal. Both are perfectly acceptable.
-===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
-  * [[不客气]] (bú kèqi) - The direct negative form, used almost exclusively as "You're welcome."
-  * [[礼貌]] (lǐmào) - A close synonym meaning "polite" or "manners." `礼貌` refers to following general social rules, while `客气` refers more to the specific, active dynamic between people, especially a host and guest.
-  * [[谦虚]] (qiānxū) - Modest, humble. Being `客气` often involves being `谦虚`, especially when receiving praise or compliments.
-  * [[见外]] (jiànwài) - To treat someone like an outsider or stranger. This is the negative social outcome of being too `客气` with a close friend or family member.
-  * [[热情]] (rèqíng) - Warm, enthusiastic, hospitable. A good host is both `热情` towards their guest and encourages them to `别客气`.
-  * [[面子]] (miànzi) - "Face"; social standing and reputation. The rituals of being `客气` are essential for giving and saving face in social interactions.
-  * [[推让]] (tuīràng) - The act of repeatedly and politely declining before accepting. This is the dance of `客气` in action, especially with gifts or offers.
-  * [[不好意思]] (bù hǎoyìsi) - To feel embarrassed or shy; "excuse me". This feeling often accompanies the act of being `客气`, for example, feeling `不好意思` to accept a gift on the first offer.