When learning a new language, it’s important to not only learn the vocabulary and grammar rules but also the proper way to communicate with native speakers. Politeness is an essential aspect of communication in Chinese culture. It shows respect to the listener and can make the conversation more pleasant. In this article, we will discuss Chinese polite words and their usage.
Greetings
The first step in any conversation is to greet the other person. In Chinese culture, it’s common to use formal greetings even when speaking with friends and family. The most common greeting is “nǐ hǎo” (你好), which means “hello” in English. When meeting someone for the first time or addressing someone with a higher status, it’s appropriate to use “nín hǎo” (您好) instead.
Example:
你好，我叫小明。(Nǐ hǎo, wǒ jiào xiǎo míng.) – Hello, my name is Xiaoming.
您好，我是老师。(Nín hǎo, wǒ shì lǎo shī.) – Hello, I am the teacher.
Titles
In Chinese culture, it’s common to address people by their titles rather than their names. This shows respect and acknowledges their position. Some common titles include “lǎo shī” (老师) for teacher, “xiān shēng” (先生) for Mr., and “nǚ shì” (女士) for Ms. When addressing someone older or with a higher status, it’s appropriate to add “dà” (大) before the title, which means “big” in English.
Example:
老师，您好。(Lǎo shī, nín hǎo.) – Hello, teacher.
大姐，您要点什么？(Dà jiě, nín yào diǎn shén me?) – What would you like to order, big sister?
Polite Expressions
In Chinese culture, expressing gratitude and apologies are important. There are several phrases that can be used to show gratitude, such as “xiè xiè” (谢谢) which means “thank you” in English. When expressing apologies, it’s common to use “duì bù qǐ” (对不起) which means “I’m sorry” in English.
Example:
谢谢你的帮助。(Xiè xiè nǐ de bāng zhù.) – Thank you for your help.
对不起，我迟到了。(Duì bù qǐ, wǒ chí dào le.) – I’m sorry for being late.
Polite Requests
When making requests in Chinese, it’s important to use polite language to show respect to the listener. One way to make a polite request is by adding “qǐng” (请) before the verb. For example, “qǐng wèn” (请问) means “may I ask” in English. Another way to make a polite request is by using “kě yǐ” (可以) which means “can” or “may” in English.
Example:
请问，洗手间在哪里？(Qǐng wèn, xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ?) – May I ask where the restroom is?
可以给我一杯水吗？(Kě yǐ gěi wǒ yī bēi shuǐ ma?) – Can I have a glass of water, please?
Polite Responses
When responding to someone, it’s important to use polite language to show respect. One common response is “méi wèntí” (没问题) which means “no problem” or “it’s okay” in English. Another response is “hǎo de” (好的) which means “okay” or “sure” in English.
Example:
老师，你的作业写完了吗？(Lǎo shī, nǐ de zuò yè xiě wán le ma?) – Teacher, have you finished your homework?
没问题，我已经写完了。(Méi wèntí, wǒ yǐ jīng xiě wán le.) – No problem, I have already finished.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Chinese polite words are an essential part of communication in Chinese culture. Using polite language shows respect and can make conversations more pleasant. The common polite expressions include greetings, titles, gratitude and apologies, requests, and responses. By learning these words and using them in appropriate situations, learners of Chinese can show respect and build good relationships with native speakers.
Below are Chinese categories of polite words
GREETINGS
Here are some common Chinese greetings:
你好 (nǐ hǎo) – Hello
您好 (nín hǎo) – Hello (more polite/formal)
早上好 (zǎo shàng hǎo) – Good morning
下午好 (xià wǔ hǎo) – Good afternoon
晚上好 (wǎn shàng hǎo) – Good evening
晚安 (wǎn ān) – Goodnight
你怎么样？(nǐ zěn me yàng) – How are you?
最近怎么样？(zuì jìn zěn me yàng) – How have you been lately?
请问 (qǐng wèn) – Excuse me, may I ask…
谢谢 (xiè xiè) – Thank you
不用谢 (bù yòng xiè) – You’re welcome
对不起 (duì bu qǐ) – I’m sorry
没关系 (méi guān xi) – It’s okay/never mind
再见 (zài jiàn) – Goodbye
祝你好运 (zhù nǐ hǎo yùn) – Good luck
EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE
谢谢 (xiè xiè) – Thank you
多谢 (duō xiè) – Many thanks
非常感谢 (fēi cháng gǎn xiè) – Thank you very much
感恩不尽 (gǎn ēn bù jìn) – Grateful beyond words
十分感谢 (shí fēn gǎn xiè) – Thanks a lot
不胜感激 (bù shèng gǎn jī) – Overwhelmed with gratitude
万分感谢 (wàn fēn gǎn xiè) – A thousand thanks
谢谢你的帮助 (xiè xiè nǐ de bāng zhù) – Thank you for your help
感激不尽 (gǎn jī bù jìn) – Grateful beyond words
衷心感谢 (zhōng xīn gǎn xiè) – Heartfelt thanks.
感激您的好意 (gǎn jī nín de hǎo yì) – Appreciate your kindness
感恩您的支持 (gǎn ēn nín de zhī chí) – Thankful for your support
非常感激您的热情款待 (fēi cháng gǎn jī nín de rè qíng kuǎn dài) – Very grateful for your warm hospitality
多谢你的耐心教导 (duō xiè nǐ de nài xīn jiào dǎo) – Thank you for your patient guidance
感谢您的付出 (gǎn xiè nín de fù chū) – Thank you for your efforts
谢谢你的体贴关怀 (xiè xiè nǐ de tǐ tiē guān huái) – Thank you for your thoughtfulness and care
感谢你的大力支持 (gǎn xiè nǐ de dà lì zhī chí) – Thank you for your strong support
非常感谢您的宝贵建议 (fēi cháng gǎn xiè nín de bǎo guì jiàn yì) – Very thankful for your valuable advice
感恩您一直以来的关照 (gǎn ēn nín yī zhí yǐ lái de guān zhào) – Grateful for your continuous care and attention
衷心感激您的慷慨帮助 (zhōng xīn gǎn jī nín de kāng kǎi bāng zhù) – Sincerely appreciate your generous help.
APOLOGIES
There are several Chinese expressions that can be used to apologize. Here are some examples:
- 对不起 (duì bù qǐ) – This is the most common and straightforward way to say “I’m sorry” in Chinese.
- 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì sī) – This expression can be used to apologize for a minor inconvenience or for being late.
- 抱歉 (bào qiàn) – This expression is a bit more formal and is often used in more serious situations.
- 我很抱歉 (wǒ hěn bào qiàn) – This phrase translates to “I am very sorry” and is more emphatic than just saying 抱歉.
- 真的很抱歉 (zhēn de hěn bào qiàn) – This expression adds the word “真的” (zhēn de) which means “really” to emphasize the sincerity of the apology.
- 不好意思，让你久等了 (bù hǎo yì sī, ràng nǐ jiǔ děng le) – This expression is used to apologize for making someone wait for a long time.
- 不好意思，打扰了 (bù hǎo yì sī, dǎ rǎo le) – This expression is used to apologize for bothering someone or interrupting them.
- 对不起，我错了 (duì bù qǐ, wǒ cuò le) – This expression is used to apologize for making a mistake.
- 抱歉，我会改正的 (bào qiàn, wǒ huì gǎi zhèng de) – This expression means “I’m sorry, I will correct it” and is used to apologize for a mistake and promise to do better in the future.
- 非常抱歉，我已经尽力了 (fēi cháng bào qiàn, wǒ yǐ jīng jìn lì le) – This expression means “I’m extremely sorry, I’ve done my best” and is used to apologize for a situation that was out of the apologizer’s control.
POLITE REQUESTS
here are some common Chinese expressions for polite requests:
请 (qǐng) – Please
能不能 (néng bù néng) – Can/could you…
可不可以 (kě bù kě yǐ) – May I…
麻烦你 (má fán nǐ) – Would you please…
能麻烦你 (néng má fán nǐ) – Could you please…
可以给我 (kě yǐ gěi wǒ) – Could you give me…
可以帮我 (kě yǐ bāng wǒ) – Could you help me…
请你告诉我 (qǐng nǐ gào su wǒ) – Can you tell me…
请你帮我 (qǐng nǐ bāng wǒ) – Could you assist me…
请问一下 (qǐng wèn yī xià) – Excuse me, may I ask…
能否请你 (néng fǒu qǐng nǐ) – May I request that you…
借过一下 (jiè guò yī xià) – May I pass by…
请您耐心等待 (qǐng nín nài xīn děng dài) – Please wait patiently.
POLITE REFUSALS
Here are some common Chinese expressions for politely refusing an offer or invitation:
不好意思，我有事。 (Bù hǎo yìsi, wǒ yǒu shì.) – “I’m sorry, I have something else to do.”
不行，太麻烦了。 (Bù xíng, tài máfan le.) – “It won’t work, it’s too troublesome.”
很抱歉，我不能参加。 (Hěn bàoqiàn, wǒ bùnéng cānjiā.) – “I’m sorry, I can’t attend.”
恕我不能从。 (Shù wǒ bùnéng cóng.) – “Please excuse me, I can’t go along with that.”
我很感激你的邀请，但是我不能去。 (Wǒ hěn gǎnjī nǐ de yāoqǐng, dànshì wǒ bùnéng qù.) – “Thank you very much for your invitation, but I can’t go.”
谢谢你的好意，但是我已经有别的安排了。 (Xièxiè nǐ de hǎoyì, dànshì wǒ yǐjīng yǒu bié de ānpái le.) – “Thank you for your kindness, but I already have other plans.”
我想我不方便。 (Wǒ xiǎng wǒ bù fāngbiàn.) – “I’m afraid I can’t make it.”
不好意思，实在是抽不出身。 (Bù hǎo yìsi, shízài shì chōu bù chū shēn.) – “I’m sorry, I really can’t get away.”
Remember that these expressions should always be accompanied by a polite tone and appropriate body language to convey sincerity and respect
FAREWELLS
Here are some common expressions used for farewells in Chinese:
再见 (zài jiàn) – Goodbye
拜拜 (bài bài) – Bye-bye
谢谢你 (xiè xiè nǐ) – Thank you
下次见 (xià cì jiàn) – See you next time
祝你好运 (zhù nǐ hǎo yùn) – Good luck to you
保重 (bǎo zhòng) – Take care
一路平安 (yí lù píng ān) – Have a safe journey
快点回来 (kuài diǎn huí lái) – Come back soon
好好照顾自己 (hǎo hǎo zhào gù zì jǐ) – Take good care of yourself
慢走 (màn zǒu) – Take it easy / Walk slowly
BLESSINGS
here are some common Chinese expressions of blessing:
祝你好运！(Zhù nǐ hǎo yùn!) – Wishing you good luck!
祝你健康长寿！(Zhù nǐ jiànkāng chángshòu!) – Wishing you good health and long life!
祝你生意兴隆！(Zhù nǐ shēngyì xīnglóng!) – Wishing you prosperity in business!
祝你学业有成！(Zhù nǐ xuéyè yǒu chéng!) – Wishing you success in your studies!
祝你家庭幸福！(Zhù nǐ jiātíng xìngfú!) – Wishing you happiness in your family life!
祝你事业有成！(Zhù nǐ shìyè yǒu chéng!) – Wishing you success in your career!
祝你心想事成！(Zhù nǐ xīn xiǎng shì chéng!) – Wishing you that all your wishes come true!
祝你节日快乐！(Zhù nǐ jié rì kuài lè!) – Wishing you a happy holiday!
祝你旅途愉快！(Zhù nǐ lǚ tú yú kuài!) – Wishing you a pleasant journey!
祝福你一切顺利！(Zhù fú nǐ yī qiè shùn lì!) – Blessing you with smooth sailing in all your endeavors!
Originally posted 2023-07-18 00:44:52.