Everyday Chinese phrase
You’re welcome in Chinese: 不客气 & 不用谢
English “you’re welcome” is a social reply rather than one fixed dictionary word. Chinese chooses among several phrases according to the relationship, the size of the favour and whether the speaker wants to sound neutral, warm, modest or brief.
Quick answer: 不客气 (bú kèqi) is the standard neutral reply to 谢谢. 不用谢 is lighter, 没事 is casual, 应该的 sounds modest, and 别客气 is warmer; 欢迎 is not the usual reply to thanks.
The safest general reply is 不客气 (bú kèqi). It works after 谢谢 in many everyday situations, but it is not the only natural answer. 不用谢 can sound lighter, 没事 can sound more casual, 应该的 can sound modest, and 别客气 can sound warmer. The right choice is a matter of tone and context, not a single correct translation.
| Chinese | Pinyin | Literal feel | Best context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 不客气 | bú kèqi | Don’t be so polite | Neutral, standard reply in most everyday situations |
| 不用谢 | bú yòng xiè | No need to thank me | Light and friendly; small favours, friends, classmates, colleagues |
| 没事 | méi shì | It’s nothing / no problem | Casual; a small inconvenience or an easy favour |
| 应该的 | yīnggāi de | It’s what I should do | Modest; helping in a role, family duty or team responsibility |
| 别客气 | bié kèqi | Don’t stand on ceremony | Warmer; host and guest, closer relationships, generous hospitality |
| 不谢 | bú xiè | No thanks needed | Very short and casual; can sound abrupt with elders, clients or officials |
| 哪里哪里 | nǎlǐ nǎlǐ | Where, where? (modest deflection) | Traditional modest reply; can sound old-fashioned or playful depending on age and region |
不客气: the standard neutral reply
不客气 is the default answer most learners should recognise first. 客气 describes politeness, ceremony or standing on formality; 不客气 literally says “don’t be polite,” but its everyday function is closer to “you’re welcome.” It is safe after 谢谢 in shops, classrooms, offices, online messages and ordinary acts of help.
It can also appear before or after an action. A person may say 不客气 after handing something over, answering a question or completing a small service. Tone matters: a short, flat 不客气 can sound routine, while a warm voice and a smile make the same words feel more personal.
不用谢: friendly and lighter
不用谢 means “there is no need to thank me.” It often feels lighter or more casual than 不客气 and is common between friends, classmates and colleagues. Use it when the favour was small or when you want to reduce the other person’s sense of obligation.
不用谢 is not rude, but it is less formulaic than 不客气. In a highly formal service setting, 不客气 may sound more standard; in a close relationship, 不用谢 or 没事 may sound more natural.
没事 and 应该的: small favour or duty
没事 (méi shì) literally means “there is no matter” or “it’s nothing.” It fits a small favour, a minor inconvenience or a situation where the speaker wants to reassure the other person. It does not mean that every problem is unimportant, so avoid using it to dismiss a serious concern.
应该的 (yīnggāi de) means “it is what I should do.” It is modest and relational: a teacher helping a student, a family member supporting another family member, or a colleague covering a shared responsibility. It can sound more grounded than a direct “you’re welcome.”
别客气: warm hospitality
别客气 means “don’t be so polite” or “don’t stand on ceremony.” It is common between hosts and guests, friends and people who already have a comfortable relationship. In a home, a meal or a generous exchange, 别客气 can sound warmer than 不客气.
With a stranger, a senior official or a formal client, 别客气 can sound too familiar. The relationship and setting decide whether the phrase feels welcoming or inappropriate.
欢迎 is not the usual reply to 谢谢
A common English-to-Chinese mistake is to answer “you’re welcome” with 欢迎 (huānyíng). 欢迎 means welcome in the sense of receiving or greeting someone; 欢迎光临 is a shop or event greeting meaning “welcome.” It is not the standard reply after someone says 谢谢.
If you are greeting a guest, use 欢迎 or 欢迎光临. If you are replying to thanks, start with 不客气, 不用谢 or 没事. The two situations look similar in English but are different in Chinese.
What to say after different kinds of thanks
谢谢 is the general phrase for thanks, so 不客气 or 不用谢 fits most naturally. 多谢 is warmer or more emphatic, and either reply can work. 辛苦了 acknowledges someone’s effort; 没事, 不辛苦 or 应该的 may fit better than a formulaic “you’re welcome.” 麻烦你了 means “sorry to trouble you” and is often answered with 没事 or 不客气.
Sorry is a different situation. If someone says 对不起, the common replies are 没关系, 没事 or 不要紧, not 不客气. A phrase can be grammatically correct and still answer the wrong social move.
Pronunciation and tone changes
不 is usually fourth tone (bù), but it changes to second tone (bú) before another fourth-tone syllable. That is why 不客气 is pronounced bú kèqi and 不用谢 is bú yòng xiè. In natural speech, the syllables are not equally stressed; listen to the whole phrase rather than reading each tone mark separately.
谢 is fourth tone (xiè). In 谢谢, the second syllable often becomes light or neutral. 没事 is méi shì, with 没 in second tone and 事 in fourth tone. Regional pronunciation and speed can vary, so a fluent listener is more useful than a mechanical reading.
Simplified and traditional forms
不客气, 不用谢 and 没事 are written the same in simplified and traditional Chinese. 应该的 becomes 應該的, 别客气 becomes 別客氣, and 谢谢 becomes 謝謝 when the surrounding page uses traditional characters. Do not mix simplified and traditional forms inside one design, document or tattoo phrase.
Using “you’re welcome” in a tattoo or design
These are everyday courtesy phrases, not deep symbolic mottoes. A design containing 不客气 may read like a polite service line or a language-learning phrase rather than a personal statement. That can be intentional, but the placement and audience should make the meaning clear.
If the phrase is permanent, check the complete wording, script and line breaks with a fluent reader. A phrase that works in conversation may look abrupt or contextless when isolated in a design. “You’re welcome” also has no single Chinese equivalent, so the selected phrase should match the exact situation you want to evoke.
You’re welcome in Chinese questions
How do you say you’re welcome in Chinese?
不客气 (bú kèqi) is the standard neutral reply. 不用谢 is lighter, 没事 is casual, 应该的 sounds modest, and 别客气 is warmer.
What does 不客气 literally mean?
It literally means “don’t be polite” or “don’t stand on ceremony,” but in everyday use it functions as “you’re welcome.”
Is 不用谢 the same as 不客气?
They are close. 不客气 is the standard neutral reply; 不用谢 more explicitly means “there is no need to thank me” and can sound lighter or more personal.
Can I reply with 没事?
Yes, for a small favour or minor inconvenience. 没事 can sound too casual or dismissive in a serious or formal situation.
What is you’re welcome in traditional Chinese?
不客气 becomes 不客氣, 不用谢 becomes 不用謝, 没事 becomes 沒事, 应该的 becomes 應該的, and 别客气 becomes 別客氣.
Why is 欢迎 wrong as a reply to 谢谢?
欢迎 means welcome in the sense of greeting or receiving someone. It is not the usual reply after thanks; use 不客气, 不用谢 or 没事 instead.
How do you say you're welcome in Chinese?
不客气 (bú kèqi) is the standard neutral reply. 不用谢 is lighter, 没事 is casual, 应该的 sounds modest, and 别客气 is warmer.
What is you're welcome in traditional Chinese?
不客气 becomes 不客氣, 不用谢 becomes 不用謝, 没事 becomes 沒事, 应该的 becomes 應該的, and 别客气 becomes 別客氣.
How do you say you’re welcome in Chinese pinyin?
The standard form is 不客气 (bú kèqi). 不用谢 (búyòng xiè) is lighter, 没事 (méi shì) suits a small favour, and 应该的 (yīnggāi de) sounds more obligated.
Is 欢迎 the same as you’re welcome?
No. 欢迎 is used to welcome someone or invite them in. The ordinary reply to 谢谢 is 不客气 or another courtesy phrase, not 欢迎.
What is the difference between 不客气 and 不用谢?
不客气 is the standard neutral reply to 谢谢. 不用谢 more explicitly means “there is no need to thank me” and can sound lighter or friendlier, especially after a small favour.
When do you say 不用客气?
不用客气 is a warmer, more explicit version of 不客气. It fits when someone is being overly polite or thanking you for a small favour. 别客气 is similar but leans toward host-and-guest settings.
What does 太客气了 mean?
It means “you’re too polite” or “you shouldn’t have.” It usually reacts to a gift or an overly generous gesture, not to a tiny everyday favour. Tone decides whether it sounds pleased, embarrassed or mildly refusing.
What does 举手之劳 mean?
举手之劳 literally means “the effort of lifting a hand,” so it means “it was no trouble at all.” It is a modest reply that is a little literary but widely understood, especially in writing and formal thanks.
How do you say don’t mention it in Chinese?
不足挂齿 is the literary “not worth mentioning,” 别放在心上 means “don’t worry about it,” and 没什么 is the everyday “it’s nothing.” Choose by register rather than using the literary phrase for a casual chat.
Can I answer 谢谢 with 没关系?
No. 没关系 answers 对不起 or 抱歉. Thanks are answered with 不客气, 不用谢, 别客气 or 没事. Remember the two pairs: 谢谢 → 不客气, and 对不起 → 没关系.
How do you say you’re welcome politely to a customer?
Use 不客气，很高兴能帮到您, 不用客气，这是我应该做的 or 有问题随时联系我. Keep 您 in the sentence and only promise follow-up help that you can actually provide.
Need a courtesy phrase checked?
Send the exact situation, who said what and whether the setting is casual, formal or written. A reply can explain tone, regional variation and the difference between a greeting and a reply.
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You’re welcome in Chinese pinyin and characters
不客气 is the standard neutral reply, but Chinese has several courtesy replies with different warmth. The table keeps the characters, pinyin and tone guidance together so a reader does not learn the English meaning without the spoken form.
| Chinese | Pinyin | Use and tone |
|---|---|---|
| 不客气 | bú kèqi | Standard neutral reply. 不 is often pronounced with a second tone before 客. |
| 不用谢 | búyòng xiè | Friendly and light: no need to thank me. |
| 没事 | méi shì | No problem; natural for a small favour. |
| 应该的 | yīnggāi de | It is what I should do; warm but can sound obligated. |
| 别客气 | bié kèqi | Don’t stand on ceremony; hospitality or closer relationship. |
Do not reply to 谢谢 with 欢迎 unless the meaning is actually “welcome” in the sense of receiving a guest. 欢迎 is not the ordinary English “you’re welcome.” For a formal relationship, 不客气 is safe; for a small favour among friends, 没事 or 不用谢 is often more natural.
When you are learning the phrase, practise the tone change in 不客气 and the neutral tone in 客气. The written form 不客气 is the same in simplified and traditional Chinese; the surrounding phrase may use different forms.
Politeness levels
不用客气, 客气了 and 太客气了: warmer replies
不客气 is the safe default, but it is not the only natural reply. 不用客气 says “there is no need to be so polite,” 客气了 answers generosity with modesty, and 太客气了 often means “you shouldn’t have.” These phrases are close in meaning but not interchangeable in every situation.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English direction | When it fits / caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 不客气 | bú kèqi | You’re welcome | The neutral standard reply; safe in most situations. |
| 不用客气 | bú yòng kèqi | No need to be so polite | Warmer and more explicit than 不客气; common after a small favour. |
| 别客气 | bié kèqi | Don’t stand on ceremony | Host and guest, or people with a comfortable relationship. |
| 客气了 | kèqi le | You’re too kind / you flatter me | Modest response to praise or generosity; 了 marks the reaction. |
| 太客气了 | tài kèqi le | You’re too polite / you shouldn’t have | Often about a gift or an overly generous gesture, not a tiny favour. |
| 不必客气 | bú bì kèqi | No need for courtesy | Formal and slightly stiff; more common in writing or service scripts. |
| 甭客气 | béng kèqi | No need to be polite | Northern colloquial; relaxed between familiar people. |
| 别见外 | bié jiànwài | Don’t treat me as an outsider | Warm and close; tells the other person not to be formal with you. |
| 没事儿 | méi shìr | No problem | Northern erhua form of 没事; casual and friendly. |
| 不谢 | bú xiè | No thanks needed | Very short and casual; can sound abrupt with elders or clients. |
客气 is the key word: it means politeness, ceremony or formality. 不用客气 and 别客气 are not rejecting the thanks; they are telling the other person that no ceremony is needed. 太客气了 is different: it reacts to someone who has done too much, and can carry a mild “you really shouldn’t have” tone.
Modest replies
举手之劳, 小事一桩 and 不足挂齿
Chinese has a set of modest replies that lower the value of the help you gave. They range from everyday (没什么, 小事) to literary (举手之劳, 不足挂齿). Choosing an expression that is too literary for a casual chat can sound like a performance, so match the register to the relationship.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English direction | Register and caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 举手之劳 | jǔ shǒu zhī láo | It was no trouble at all | A little literary but widely understood; good in writing and formal thanks. |
| 小事一桩 | xiǎoshì yì zhuāng | A trifling matter | Slightly formal; 桩 is the measure word for the matter. |
| 小事 | xiǎoshì | A small thing | Everyday and casual; 小事，别客气 is a common combination. |
| 不足挂齿 | bùzú guàchǐ | Not worth mentioning | Very formal or literary; can sound theatrical in casual speech. |
| 何足挂齿 | hé zú guàchǐ | Why even mention it? | Rhetorical and literary; use with care because it can sound sarcastic. |
| 别放在心上 | bié fàng zài xīnshang | Don’t worry about it | Reassures someone who feels indebted; warm and practical. |
| 没什么 | méi shénme | It’s nothing | Very common and neutral; can sound dismissive if the favour was serious. |
| 应该的 | yīnggāi de | It’s what I should do | Modest and relational; family, team or role-based help. |
| 这是我应该做的 | zhè shì wǒ yīnggāi zuò de | This is what I should do | A fuller, more formal version of 应该的. |
| 分内之事 | fènnèi zhī shì | Part of my duty | Formal and workplace-oriented; can sound distant between friends. |
Modest replies work best when they match the size of the favour. Saying 举手之劳 after a serious, time-consuming task can sound as if you are dismissing your own effort. A short 没什么，别放在心上 is often warmer than a literary phrase.
Thanks or apology?
没关系 answers 对不起, not 谢谢
Chinese keeps two reply families apart. Thanks are answered with 不客气, 不用谢 or 没事. Apologies are answered with 没关系, 没事 or 不要紧. Mixing them is one of the most common learner errors, because English “no problem” can answer both thanks and apologies.
| The other person says | Meaning | Natural reply | Do not use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 谢谢 / 谢谢你 | Thank you | 不客气 · 不用谢 · 没事 | 没关系 (it answers an apology) |
| 对不起 / 抱歉 | Sorry | 没关系 · 没事 · 不要紧 | 不客气 (it answers thanks) |
| 麻烦你了 | Sorry to trouble you | 没事 · 不客气 · 别客气 | 不用谢 (it sounds as if they thanked you) |
| 辛苦了 | Thanks for your effort | 不辛苦 · 应该的 | 不客气 (too formal and off-pattern) |
| 谢谢你的礼物 | Thank you for the gift | 不用谢 · 太客气了 · 希望你喜欢 | 没事 (it downplays the gift too much) |
| 借用一下可以吗？ | May I borrow it? | 可以 · 拿去吧 · 没问题 | 不客气 (the thanks comes later) |
If you only remember two pairs, remember these: 谢谢 → 不客气, and 对不起 → 没关系. 没事 is flexible and can answer both, which is why it appears in both columns, but the standard pairs are clearer for a learner.
Service and workplace
很高兴能帮到您 and 随时联系我: polite service replies
In customer service, business or a formal email, 不客气 alone can sound routine. Adding 您, a service phrase or a next step makes the reply warmer and more useful. These lines are common in shops, hotels, clinics and online support.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English direction | Setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| 不客气，很高兴能帮到您 | bú kèqi, hěn gāoxìng néng bāng dào nín | You’re welcome; glad I could help | Customer service, clinic, hotel or formal email. |
| 不用客气，这是我应该做的 | bú yòng kèqi, zhè shì wǒ yīnggāi zuò de | No need to thank me; it’s my duty | Role-based help in a workplace or service team. |
| 有问题随时联系我 | yǒu wèntí suíshí liánxì wǒ | Contact me anytime if you have questions | Email, support chat or after-sales service. |
| 希望能帮到您 | xīwàng néng bāng dào nín | I hope this helps | Written support and information replies. |
| 感谢您的理解 | gǎnxiè nín de lǐjiě | Thank you for your understanding | Delays, policy limits or bad news. |
| 谢谢您的支持 | xièxie nín de zhīchí | Thank you for your support | Business, membership or repeat-customer context. |
| 不客气，欢迎再来 | bú kèqi, huānyíng zài lái | You’re welcome; please come again | Shop, restaurant or hotel farewell. |
| 我应该做的 | wǒ yīnggāi zuò de | It’s what I should do | Short modest reply; softer than a bare 不客气. |
Use 您 in a service or business reply unless the relationship is clearly informal. 不客气 said in a flat, rapid tone can sound dismissive, so add a smile, a service phrase or an offer of further help. Do not promise 随时联系我 unless you can actually respond.
Pinyin and characters
不客气 / 不客氣: pinyin, tones and traditional forms
不 changes to second tone (bú) before a fourth-tone syllable, which is why 不客气 is pronounced bú kèqi. The table gives each reply with its traditional form and the tone in context.
| Simplified | Traditional | Pinyin | Tone note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 不客气 | 不客氣 | bú kèqi | 不 becomes bú before the fourth-tone 客; 气 becomes 氣. |
| 不用谢 | 不用謝 | bú yòng xiè | 不 becomes bú before the fourth-tone 用; 谢 becomes 謝. |
| 不用客气 | 不用客氣 | bú yòng kèqi | Same 不 tone change; 客气 becomes 客氣. |
| 别客气 | 別客氣 | bié kèqi | 别 becomes 別; 客气 becomes 客氣. |
| 客气了 | 客氣了 | kèqi le | 了 is neutral and marks the reaction. |
| 太客气了 | 太客氣了 | tài kèqi le | 太 is fourth tone; 客气 becomes 客氣. |
| 见外 | 見外 | jiànwài | Fourth tone + fourth tone; 见 becomes 見. |
| 举手之劳 | 舉手之勞 | jǔ shǒu zhī láo | 举 becomes 舉 and 劳 becomes 勞. |
| 小事一桩 | 小事一樁 | xiǎoshì yì zhuāng | 桩 becomes 樁; 一 before first tone is yì. |
| 不足挂齿 | 不足掛齒 | bùzú guàchǐ | 挂 becomes 掛 and 齿 becomes 齒. |
| 别放在心上 | 別放在心上 | bié fàng zài xīnshang | 别 becomes 別; 上 is neutral in this phrase. |
| 这是我应该做的 | 這是我應該做的 | zhè shì wǒ yīnggāi zuò de | 这 becomes 這 and 应 becomes 應. |
Pinyin tone marks are part of the spelling: write bú kèqi, not bu keqi. Keep one writing system in a document or design, and do not mix 不客气 with 不客氣 in the same sentence.
Related everyday phrases
You’re welcome 不客气 sits among these expressions, but the polite or natural choice still depends on the relationship, time of day and whether the setting is spoken or written.