By Sujanti Djuanda – Chinese teacher at Lingolearn.com
Chinese Words for Thank you: 感谢(gǎnxiè=to thank, to express thanks for) and 谢谢(xièxie=to thank, thank you)
感谢(gǎnxiè=to thank, to express thanks for) and 谢谢(xièxie=to thank, thank you) is generally used to express thankfulness when you receive help, got forgiveness, etc from someone.
I. 谢谢(xièxie=to thank, thank you) can be used in formal situation but it’s more used in spoken Chinese. It has several usages, as follows:
1. 谢谢(xièxie=thank you) is used to express a politeness.
Example 1: (formal)
Please wait a moment (formal). Thank you.
请(qǐng=please)稍等(shāoděng=to wait a moment)。谢谢(xièxie=thank you)。
Compared with Example 1b: (spoken Chinese)
Please wait a moment (spoken Chinese). Thank you.
请(qǐng=please)等(děng=to wait)一下(yīxià=a while)。谢谢(xièxie=thank you)。
Example 2: (spoken Chinese)
A: May I use your cell phone?
A:我(wǒ=I)可以(kěyǐ=may)用(yòng=to use)你的(nǐ de=your) 手机(shǒujī=cell phone)吗(ma)?
B: 没问题(méiwèntí=no problem)。
A: 谢谢(xièxie=thank you)。
2. 谢谢(xièxie=thank you) is used as the polite refusal language.
Example:
A: Do you want to eat dim sum?
A:你(nǐ=you)要(yào=want)吃(chī=to eat)点心(diǎnxin)吗(ma)?
B: No thanks.
B: 谢谢(xièxie=thank you)。
II.1. 感谢(gǎnxiè=to thank) is generally used in formal or serious situation.
Example 1:
Thank you for flying with Spring Airlines.
感谢(gǎnxiè=to thank)您(nín=you – formal)乘坐(chéngzuò=to ride as passenger)春秋(chūnqiū= spring and autumn)航班(hángbān= airline flight)。
Example 2:
Thank you for choosing to check in Gold Hotel.
感谢(gǎnxiè=to thank)您(nín=you – formal)选择(xuǎnzé=to select)入住(rùzhù=to check in at a hotel)金(Jīn=gold)酒店(jiǔdiàn=hotel)。
2. 感谢(gǎnxiè=to thank) is even stronger emotionally than 谢谢(xièxie=to thank).
Example 1a:
I would like to thank you for your scholarship and encouragement. (stronger emotionally)
我(wǒ=I)想(xiǎng=want)感谢(gǎnxiè=to thank)您的(nínde=your – formal)奖学金(jiǎngxuéjīn= scholarship)与(yǔ=and – formal)鼓励(gǔlì= encouragement)。
Compare with Example 1b: (lesser emotionally)
我(wǒ=I)想(xiǎng=want)谢谢(xièxie=to thank)你的(nǐde=your)奖学金(jiǎngxuéjīn= scholarship)和(hé=and)鼓励(gǔlì= encouragement)。
Example 2a:
Don’t thank me, thank God! (stronger emotionally)
别(bié=don’t)感谢(gǎnxiè=to thank) 我(wǒ=I),感谢(gǎnxiè=to thank) 上帝(Shàngdì=God)吧(ba)!
Compare with Example 2b: (lesser emotionally)
别(bié=don’t)谢谢(xièxie=to thank)我(wǒ=I),谢谢(xièxie=to thank)上帝(Shàngdì=God)吧(ba)!
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