Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar

61

expressing gratitude and

responding to expressions

of gratitude

61.1 Expressing gratitude

In Chinese culture, you thank others for actions that benefit you or show you respect. Such

actions include doing something for you, taking the time to visit or write you, or helping you

in some way. In Chinese culture, you do not thank others for compliments or invitations.

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61.1.1 direct expressions of thanks

Gratitude is expressed in Chinese with the following expressions:

谢谢/謝謝 xièxiè ‘thank you’

谢谢你帮我忙。

謝謝你幫我忙。

Xièxiè nǐ bāng wǒ máng.

Thank you for helping me.

感谢/感謝 gǎnxiè ‘gratefully thank; appreciate’

非常感谢您的建议。

非常感謝您的建議。

Fēicháng gǎnxiè nín de jiànyì.

I greatly appreciate your suggestions.

表示感谢/表示感謝 biǎoshì gǎnxiè ‘to express thanks’

这点小礼物表示我们的感谢。请笑纳。

這點小禮物表示我們的感謝。請笑納。

Zhè diǎn xiǎo lǐwù biǎoshì wǒmen de gǎnxiè. Qǐng xiàonà.

This little gift expresses our thanks. Please accept our humble gift.

道谢/道謝 dàoxiè ‘to thank, to express thanks’

我代表我们公司向您道谢。

我代表我們公司向您道謝。

Wǒ dàibiǎo wǒmen gōngsī xiàng nín dàoxiè.

I represent our company in expressing our thanks to you.