Various Ways to Say “Thank you” in Chinese

The common expressions

谢谢 (xièxie)

谢谢 is the phrase that you’ll see the most in daily life because it is simple and quick to say, and suitable for most everyday situations.

e.g.

A: 这是你要的文件。 (Zhè shì nǐ yào de wénjiàn.) Here are the documents you requested.
B: 谢谢。 (Xièxie.) Thanks.

A: 我帮你把门打开吧。 (Wǒ bāng nǐ bǎ mén dǎkāi ba.) Let me open the door for you.
B: 好的，谢谢！(Hǎo de, xièxie!) Okay, thanks!

A: 祝你考试顺利！(Zhù nǐ kǎoshì shùnlì!) Good luck on your exam!
B: 谢谢，你也是！(Xièxie, nǐ yě shì!) Thanks, you too!

The uses in sentences

If you would like to direct your thanks to a specific person or group of people, you can add a noun at the end to add emphasis.

谢谢/感谢 + Somebody

e.g.

• 谢谢你 (Xièxie nǐ.) Thank you.
• 谢谢你们 (Xièxie nǐmen.) Thank you all.
• 谢谢大家 (Xièxie dàjiā.) Thanks to everyone.
• 感谢我的家人 (Gǎnxiè wǒ de jiārén.) Thanks to my family.

If you would like to thank someone for doing something specific, you can emphasize that action by adding it at the end like so:

谢谢/感谢 + something

e.g.

• 谢谢你的帮助。(Xièxie nǐ de bāngzhù.) Thank you for your help.
• 谢谢你的鼓励。(Xièxie nǐ de gǔlì.) Thank you for your encouragement.
• 感谢你的支持。(Gǎnxiè nǐ de zhīchí.) Your support is greatly appreciated.
• 感谢你做的一切。(Gǎnxiè nǐ zuò de yīqiè.) Thank you for everything.

The extended phrases to express “Thank you” in Chinese

Deep Appreciation Expressions

万分感谢 (wànfēn gǎnxiè)

This literally translates to “ten-thousand-fold thanks” or “thanks a million.” It emphasizes a deep level of gratitude, often used in more formal or heartfelt situations.

e.g.

A: 我已经把问题解决了。 (Wǒ yǐjīng bǎ wèntí jiějué le.) I’ve solved the problem.
B: 万分感谢！如果没有你，我都不知道该怎么办。 (Wànfēn gǎnxiè! Rúguǒ méiyǒu nǐ, wǒ dōu bù zhīdào gāi zěnme bàn.) Thanks a million! I really wouldn’t have known what to do without you.

A: 这是您需要的所有数据。 (Zhè shì nín xūyào de suǒyǒu shùjù.) Here is all the data you needed.
B: 万分感谢，我这就去完成报告。 (Wànfēn gǎnxiè, wǒ zhè jiù qù wánchéng bàogào.) Thank you so much. I’ll go finish the report now.

非常感谢 (fēicháng gǎnxiè)

It means “thank you very much,” stronger than “谢谢” but not overly formal. It shows sincere appreciation.

e.g.

A: 我替你买好车票了。 (Wǒ tì nǐ mǎi hǎo chēpiào le.) I bought the train ticket for you.
B: 太好了，非常感谢！(Tài hǎo le, fēicháng gǎnxiè! ) That’s great, thank you so much!

A: 我把你的电脑修好了。 (Wǒ bǎ nǐ de diànnǎo xiū hǎo le.) I fixed your computer.
B: 非常感谢，帮了我大忙。 (Fēicháng gǎnxiè, bāngle wǒ dàmáng.) Thank you so much, you really helped me out.

感激不尽 (gǎnjī bù jìn)

This means “I can’t thank you enough.” It’s often used in more formal or emotional contexts to express profound gratitude.

e.g.

A: 我特意帮你找到了这个资料。 (Wǒ tèyì bāng nǐ zhǎodào le zhège zīliào.) I specifically found this information for you.
B: 感激不尽！这对我太重要了。 (Gǎnjī bù jìn! Zhè duì wǒ tài zhòngyào le.) I can’t thank you enough! This is extremely important to me.

A: 我已经为你联系好了房东，能再降一点房租。 (Wǒ yǐjīng wèi nǐ liánxì hǎo le fángdōng, néng zài jiàng yìdiǎn fángzū.) I spoke to the landlord for you, and they agreed to lower the rent a bit more.
B: 感激不尽，你真是帮了大忙！(Gǎnjī bù jìn, nǐ zhēnshi bāngle dàmáng!) I can’t thank you enough. You’ve been an enormous help!

The Informal Expressions

谢了 (Xièle.)

谢了 is an informal, shortened way of saying “Thanks.” Friends often use it in casual speech or text messages.

e.g.

A: 我给你留了点小吃。 (Wǒ gěi nǐ liúle diǎn xiǎochī.) I saved some snacks for you.
B: 哇，谢了！(Wa, xièle!) Oh, thanks!

A: 你记得给我带个雨伞啊？(Nǐ jìdé gěi wǒ dài gè yǔsǎn a?) Remember to bring an umbrella for me?
B: 好的，马上带上。 (Hǎo de, mǎshàng dài shàng.) Sure, I’ll bring it right away.
A: 谢了啊。(Xièle a.) Thanks!

多谢 (Duōxiè!)

It literally means “many thanks.” It’s slightly more casual than “谢谢,” often used in everyday, friendly contexts.

e.g.

A: 我帮你充了地铁卡。 (Wǒ bāng nǐ chōngle dìtiě kǎ.) I topped up your metro card for you.
B: 啊，多谢！(A, duōxiè!) Oh, many thanks!

A: 给你推荐的餐厅怎么样？(Gěi nǐ tuījiàn de cāntīng zěnmeyàng?) How was the restaurant I recommended?
B: 很不错，多谢你的推荐！(Hěn bùcuò, duōxiè nǐ de tuījiàn!) It was great. Many thanks for the recommendation!

你最好了。(Nǐ zuì hǎole.)

“You are the best.” An informal way to express gratitude plus praise.

e.g.

A: 我帮你买了你最喜欢的奶茶。 (Wǒ bāng nǐ mǎi le nǐ zuì xǐhuān de nǎichá.) I got your favorite milk tea for you.
B: 太好了！你最好了！(Tài hǎo le! Nǐ zuì hǎo le!) That’s awesome! You’re the best!

A: 我今天早上顺路帮你拿了包裹。 (Wǒ jīntiān zǎoshang shùnlù bāng nǐ ná le bāoguǒ.) I picked up your package on my way this morning.
B: 真是谢谢！你最好了。 (Zhēnshi xièxie! Nǐ zuì hǎo le.) Thank you so much! You’re the best.

你真好。( Nǐ zhēn hǎo)

“It’s so kind of you.” “You’re really nice.” It conveys gratitude and compliments the other person’s kindness or help.

e.g.

A: 如果累了，你就先休息一下，我来帮你。 (Rúguǒ lèi le, nǐ jiù xiān xiūxi yíxià, wǒ lái bāng nǐ. ) If you’re tired, take a break; I’ll help you.
B: 你真好，谢谢你。 (Nǐ zhēn hǎo, xièxie nǐ. ) You’re really kind, thank you.

A: 我已经替你发邮件给老板了。 (Wǒ yǐjīng tì nǐ fā yóujiàn gěi lǎobǎn le.) I emailed the boss on your behalf.
B: 你真好，省得我再去写一遍。 (Nǐ zhēn hǎo, shěngde wǒ zài qù xiě yíbiàn.) You’re so nice; that saves me from writing it again.

辛苦了！(Xīnkǔ le!)

It literally means “You’ve worked hard.” / “It’s been tough on you.” It is used to acknowledge someone’s effort or hard work, similar to “Thank you for your hard work.”

e.g.

A: 我今天加班到很晚才回来。 (Wǒ jīntiān jiābān dào hěn wǎn cái huílái.) I worked overtime until very late today.
B: 你也辛苦了，快去休息吧。 (Nǐ yě xīnkǔ le, kuài qù xiūxi ba. ) You must be tired as well. Go get some rest.

A: 我把这个活动的所有细节都安排好了。 (Wǒ bǎ zhège huódòng de suǒyǒu xìjié dōu ānpái hǎo le. ) I arranged all the details for the event.
B: 太好了，辛苦了！(Tài hǎo le, xīnkǔ le! ) That’s great. Thanks for all your hard work!

麻烦你了！(Máfan nǐ le!)

“Sorry to bother you.” It’s both an apology for causing inconvenience and a thank-you for someone’s help.

e.g.

A: 我明天要出差，能帮我照顾一下我的猫吗？ (Wǒ míngtiān yào chūchāi, néng bāng wǒ zhàogù yíxià wǒ de māo ma?) I have a business trip tomorrow. Can you help take care of my cat?
B: 没问题。 (Méi wèntí.) No problem.
A: 麻烦你了。 (Máfan nǐ le.) Sorry to bother you (and thank you).

A: 能不能帮我看一下我的行李？我去下洗手间。 (Néng bu néng bāng wǒ kàn yíxià wǒ de xínglǐ? Wǒ qù xià xǐshǒujiān.) Could you watch my luggage for a moment? I’m going to the restroom.
B: 没问题，你去吧。 (Méi wèntí, nǐ qù ba.) No problem, go ahead.
A: 麻烦你了。 (Máfan nǐ le.) Thank you, sorry for the inconvenience.

Longer Phrases

我得好好谢谢你。(Wǒ děi hǎohǎo xièxie nǐ.)

“I really need to thank you well.” This emphasizes that you plan to show or express gratitude in a more significant way.

e.g.

A: 你帮我在关键时刻度过了难关。 (Nǐ bāng wǒ zài guānjiàn shíkè dùguò le nánguān.) You helped me through a critical moment.
B: 别客气，这都是应该的。 (Bié kèqi, zhè dōu shì yīnggāi de.) Don’t be so polite; it’s what I should do.
A: 不行，我得好好谢谢你。 (Bùxíng, wǒ děi hǎohǎo xièxie nǐ.) No, I really need to thank you properly.

A: 我已经替你联系好工作机会了。 (Wǒ yǐjīng tì nǐ liánxì hǎo gōngzuò jīhuì le.) I found a job opportunity for you.
B: 我得好好谢谢你啊，这对我太重要了。 (Wǒ děi hǎohǎo xièxie nǐ a, zhè duì wǒ tài zhòngyào le.) I really need to thank you. This is so important for me.

没有你我不知道该怎么办。(Méiyǒu nǐ wǒ bù zhīdào gāi zěnme bàn.)

“I don’t know what to do without you.” This conveys profound gratitude and dependency on the other person’s help.

e.g.

A: 我送你到医院检查一下吧。 (Wǒ sòng nǐ dào yīyuàn jiǎnchá yíxià ba.) Let me take you to the hospital for a check-up.
B: 没有你我不知道该怎么办。谢谢你一直照顾我。 (Méiyǒu nǐ wǒ bù zhīdào gāi zěnme bàn. Xièxie nǐ yìzhí zhàogù wǒ.) I don’t know what I’d do without you. Thank you for always taking care of me.

A: 我把你的银行卡找回来了。 (Wǒ bǎ nǐ de yínhángkǎ zhǎo huílái le.) I found your bank card.
B: 真是太感谢了，没有你我不知道该怎么办。 (Zhēnshi tài gǎnxiè le, méiyǒu nǐ wǒ bù zhīdào gāi zěnme bàn.) Thank you so much. I wouldn’t know what to do without you.

我欠你个人情。(Wǒ qiàn nǐ gè rénqíng.)

 “I owe you a favor.” It implies that you’ll repay the kindness in the future.

e.g.

A: 我帮你改好了这份报告。 (Wǒ bāng nǐ gǎi hǎo le zhè fèn bàogào. “I revised the report for you.”)
B: 你太厉害了！我欠你个人情，下次请你吃饭。 (Nǐ tài lìhài le! Wǒ qiàn nǐ gè rénqíng, xiàcì qǐng nǐ chīfàn. “You’re amazing! I owe you one; I’ll treat you to a meal next time.”)

A: 没想到你还记得帮我买演唱会门票。 (Méi xiǎngdào nǐ hái jìdé bāng wǒ mǎi yǎnchànghuì ménpiào.) I can’t believe you remembered to buy me concert tickets.

B: 小事一桩。 (Xiǎo shì yī zhuāng.) It’s no big deal.
A: 我可欠你个人情了！(Wǒ kě qiàn nǐ gè rénqíng le!) I really owe you one!

真不知道该怎么感谢你。(Zhēn bù zhīdào gāi zěnme gǎnxiè nǐ.)

“I really don’t know how to repay you.” This is a strong expression of gratitude when something is a big help or favor.

e.g.

A: 今天我去火车站接你爸妈吧。 (Jīntiān wǒ qù huǒchēzhàn jiē nǐ bàmā ba.) I’ll go pick up your parents at the train station today.
B: 真不知道该怎么感谢你，太感谢了。 (Zhēn bù zhīdào gāi zěnme gǎnxiè nǐ, tài gǎnxiè le.) I really don’t know how to thank you; thank you so much.

A: 你的论文我已经帮你润色好了。 (Nǐ de lùnwén wǒ yǐjīng bāng nǐ rùnsè hǎo le.) I helped proofread your paper.
B: 真不知道该怎么感谢你，你太厉害了。 (Zhēn bù zhīdào gāi zěnme gǎnxiè nǐ, nǐ tài lìhài le.) I really don’t know how to thank you; you’re awesome.

多亏你帮了我个大忙。(Duōkuī nǐ bāngle wǒ gè dàmáng.)

 “Luckily you helped me a lot.” It highlights that the other person’s help was crucial and timely.

e.g.

A: 早上我顺便把你孩子送到学校了。 (Zǎoshang wǒ shùnbiàn bǎ nǐ háizi sòng dào xuéxiào le.) I dropped your kid off at school this morning.
B: 多亏你帮了我个大忙，我真的来不及了。 (Duōkuī nǐ bāngle wǒ gè dàmáng, wǒ zhēn de láibují le.) Thank you so much; I really wouldn’t have made it in time.