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HSK 1

谢谢

thank you; thanks

phraseneutral
谢
xiè4th tone
谢
xieneutral tone

HSK level

1
2
3
4
5
6
Pinyin
xièxie
Part of speech
phrase
Level
HSK 1
Strokes
24
Register
neutral

Stroke order for 谢谢

谢谢 is written with 24 strokes (谢: 12, 谢: 12). The animation replays automatically.

What does 谢谢 mean?

谢谢 (xièxie) is the standard 'thank you' in Mandarin and works in essentially every situation — accepting a coffee, ending a phone call, replying to a compliment, after directions from a stranger.

It's formed by reduplicating the verb 谢 ('to thank'), and the second syllable is unstressed (neutral tone). For deeper gratitude, intensify with 谢谢你 ('thank you' with explicit 'you'), 非常谢谢 ('thanks very much'), or 太谢谢了 ('thanks so much'). The polite upgrade for elders, customers, or formal contexts is 谢谢您 (with 您 instead of 你).

One cultural note that surprises English speakers: between close family and best friends, Chinese speakers often skip 谢谢 — overusing it can feel like you're putting distance between yourself and someone who's basically family. Standard reply: 不客气 (bú kèqi, 'you're welcome') or the more casual 不用谢 / 没事.

Note: Universally polite, fine for any context. In very intimate relationships (close friends, family), Chinese speakers sometimes feel 谢谢 is too formal — overusing it with a parent or best friend can sound distant. Among strangers and acquaintances, it's always welcome.

Character by character

谢xièto thank; to wither (as a verb). Combines 讠 (speech radical) with 射 (shoot/express) — 'to express speech.'
+
谢xiethe same character repeated (neutral tone in second position)
=
谢谢

Memory hook: Saying 谢 once is thanks; saying 谢谢 twice doubles the warmth — Chinese loves reduplication.

Example sentences

谢谢！

Xièxie!

Thanks!

spoken

谢谢你的帮助。

Xièxie nǐ de bāngzhù.

Thank you for your help.

neutral

老师，谢谢您！

Lǎoshī, xièxie nín!

Thank you, teacher!

polite

太谢谢了，真的。

Tài xièxie le, zhēn de.

Thanks so much, really.

spoken

Common phrases with 谢谢

谢谢你xièxie nǐthank you (with explicit 'you')
谢谢您xièxie nínthank you (polite, to elders or formally)
非常谢谢fēicháng xièxiethank you very much
太谢谢了tài xièxie lethanks so much
不用谢búyòng xièno need to thank me; you're welcome

Synonyms

多谢duō xiè

多谢 ('many thanks') is shorter and slightly more written/literary. Used in online comments, signs, or quick written thanks. 谢谢 is the everyday spoken default.

感谢gǎnxiè

感谢 is more formal, like English 'I'm grateful to.' Used in speeches, written notes, and emotional thanks ('感谢您的帮助'). 谢谢 is casual; 感谢 carries weight.

Don't confuse 谢谢 with

不客气bú kèqi

不客气 is the response to 谢谢 — meaning 'you're welcome / don't mention it.' If someone says 谢谢 to you, reply 不客气, not 谢谢.

对不起duìbuqǐ

对不起 means 'sorry,' not 'thank you.' Beginners sometimes mix them up because both are common courtesy phrases. 谢谢 for gratitude, 对不起 for apology.

FAQ

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