To decline, take leave, or apologize using speech. To thank or express gratitude; also to refuse, apologize, or wither. Speech (讠) beside a body (身) with an inch (寸): a spoken bow of thanks.
谢 does not normally stand alone before 你 in thanks. Double it for a natural thank-you.
Chinese drops the subject in thanks. Adding 我 sounds like a statement, often sarcastic if 谢谢 is used.
A bare 谢 cannot reply to thanks. Use 不谢 or 不客气 instead.
谢谢 is complete on its own; 谢谢你 aims the thanks at one person.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Small favor from anyone | 谢谢 | 谢谢你 (too pointed for a tiny thing) |
| Friend helps you move | 谢谢你 | 谢谢 (feels a bit cold) |
| Thanking a group | 谢谢你们 | 谢谢 (fine, but less warm) |
Say 不客气 or 不谢. Never echo a bare 谢 back.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Stranger thanks you | 不客气 | 谢 |
| Friend thanks you for a small thing | 不谢 | 不客气 (fine, but a bit stiff) |
| Someone thanks you for a real favor | 不客气 | 不谢 (too casual) |
谢了 is casual thanks, best with friends and small favors.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Friend sends you a meme | 谢了 | 谢谢 (fine, but more formal) |
| Teacher helps after class | 谢谢老师 | 谢了 (too casual) |
| Stranger holds the door | 谢谢 | 谢了 (can sound flippant) |
In this HSK 1 story, two old friends from Britain and China share a meal with their girlfriends. A simple question about who pays leads to a clever and funny solution.
他叫 谢大中 。
谢大中 是中国人。
谢大中 对大家说：“英国和中国是好朋友，是不是？”
谢大中 看了看我，我看了看他。
我说：”今天 谢大中 不想和我做好朋友了。
“ 谢大中 说：“没问题。
Learn the fascinating story behind the Chinese idiom '东山再起' (Dongshan Zaiji), which means to make a comeback. Discover its historical roots and modern usage.
有个叫 谢安 的人，很有才华，也很有名气。
但 谢安 不想做官，多次拒绝了朝廷的邀请，就住在会稽的东山（今天的浙江省会稽山），和朋友一起游玩。
谢安 出来工作后，表现出色，做到了很高的位置。
This heartwarming story shows how a small act of kindness can be passed on. Follow Gao Xianming as he learns an important lesson about generosity in his new city.
高先明对老先生说：“ 谢谢 您！
高先明说：“老先生， 谢谢 您那天的五块钱。”
安小语非常高兴，对高先明说：“ 谢谢 你！
Before you start learning Chinese, master the most important phrases: greetings. This short dialogue shows you how to say hello and goodbye, and how to respond politely.
多谢 !
不谢 !
不用谢 ！
Enjoy this simple story about a patient and a mysterious apple. It shows how a small act of kindness can make someone feel at home, and you'll learn key words for feelings and daily life.
马家友病好了，要去 谢谢 谢医生 。
谢医生 对马家友说：“苹果不是医院给的。
Before you read, close your eyes and imagine a rainy afternoon. This story uses simple HSK 1 words to show how rain can become a talking friend.
我对雨说： 谢谢 ！
谢谢 你来看我。
In this dialogue, two people chat while waiting outside a cinema. You'll hear common phrases for talking about hobbies, sports, and movie preferences.
Ａ： 谢谢 ！
Follow Dazhong, a busy worker in China, as he finds warmth and kindness at a small noodle shop. Practice everyday words for food, weather, and expressing gratitude.
大中吃好面条，都对老先生说：“ 谢谢 您，面条很好吃。”
Everyday greetings are a gateway to natural Chinese. Practice time-based hellos like “早上好” and “晚安,” learn to address teachers with the respectful “您,” and see how families skip formalities to speak warmly at home.
家人、朋友关系好，“ 谢谢 ”、“您”、“请”太客气，在家说话不客气，可以不说“您和请”。
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