Quick answer
“You're welcome” in Chinese is 不客气 (bú kèqi)
How to Say “You're Welcome” in Chinese
“You're welcome” in Chinese is 不客气 (bú kèqi). It's the standard, safe reply to 谢谢 (xièxie) in almost any situation. For more casual or formal tones, natives also say 不用谢 (búyòng xiè), 别客气 (bié kèqi), or 没事 (méi shì) — each carries a slightly different flavor explained below.
Common phrases
不客气，这是我应该做的不客气，欢迎下次再来不用谢，小意思别客气，大家都是朋友
How to use it
- 不客气 (bú kèqi) is the default answer to 谢谢 (xièxie). It literally means “don't be polite” — like saying “no need for formalities.”
- 不用谢 (búyòng xiè) means “there's no need to thank me.” It's slightly more explicit and often used when someone thanks you for a service or favor.
- 别客气 (bié kèqi) has a friendly, inviting tone: you're telling the other person not to stand on ceremony. It's great between friends or when hosting someone.
- 没事 (méi shì) is the “no big deal” of Chinese. It's casual and conversational; use it with friends or for small favors. Avoid it in very formal business settings.
- Tone note: 不 is normally fourth tone (bù), but before another fourth-tone syllable like 客 (kè) it changes to second tone: bú kèqi. Also, 客气 is pronounced kèqi, with a neutral second syllable.
Example sentences
谢谢！不客气！
Xièxie! Bú kèqi!
Thank you! You're welcome!
The standard exchange. 不客气 is the safe response in almost any situation.
不用谢，这是我应该做的。
Búyòng xiè, zhè shì wǒ yīnggāi zuò de.
No need to thank me — it's my duty.
不用谢 is polite and common in service contexts, like when a shopkeeper or helper has assisted you.
别客气，进来坐吧。
Bié kèqi, jìnlái zuò ba.
Don't be polite — come in and have a seat.
别客气 sounds warm and welcoming, like “make yourself at home.”
没事儿，小事一桩。
Méi shìr, xiǎo shì yī zhuāng.
It's nothing — a small matter.
Very casual. Use 没事 / 没事儿 with friends; in northern China you'll often hear the r-colored 没事儿.
不客气，欢迎下次再来。
Bú kèqi, huānyíng xià cì zài lái.
You're welcome — please come again.
A typical store or restaurant reply; shows hospitality and warmth.
Common mistakes
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 不用谢 |
不用谢 | 不用谢 already contains 谢 (“thank”). Adding a second 谢 creates “no need thank-thank,” which is redundant and unnatural. |
| 不客气 | 没关系 (méi guānxi) means “it's okay / never mind” and is the response to an apology like 对不起 (duìbuqǐ). After 谢谢 (a thank-you), say 不客气 instead. |
| Unnatural | Natural | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 不客气 | English “you are welcome” doesn't translate word-for-word. 欢迎 means “to welcome someone,” not “you're welcome after thanks.” This literal translation sounds like a robot. |
FAQ
- How do you say you're welcome in Chinese?The most common way is 不客气 (bú kèqi), which literally means “don't be polite.” It's the standard, safe response to 谢谢 (xièxie) in any situation.
- What's the difference between 不客气 and 不用谢?不客气 is the everyday all-purpose reply. 不用谢 (búyòng xiè) means “there's no need to thank me” and sounds slightly more deliberate — common in shops, restaurants, or when someone goes out of their way to help you.
- Can I use 没事 (méi shì) to say you're welcome?Yes, in casual situations. 没事 literally means “it's nothing” and works like “no worries” or “no big deal.” It's best between friends; avoid it in formal business interactions.
- Is it pronounced bù kèqi or bú kèqi?Natives say bú kèqi. The character 不 is fourth tone bù by itself, but before another fourth-tone syllable like 客 (kè), it changes to second tone: bú kèqi. Also, 客气 is pronounced kèqi, with a neutral second syllable.