The Expression of Polite Words in Mandarin Chinese(Please, Thank You,Sorry & Excuse Me, Goodbye)
Politeness plays an important role in life communication. If you are polite, you are more likely to get respect and help from others. In Chinese, there are many words and phrases to express politeness. Here, we list the most frequently-used 28 polite expressions in daily conversations, including politeness, thanks, apologies and farewells.
VIDEO
Polite words
礼 貌 语 [lǐ mào yǔ]
Polite words
请进 [qǐng jìn]
Please come in.
这边请 [zhè biān qǐng]
This way, please.
请问 [qǐng wèn]
Excuse me, may I ask…?
Example Dialogues
Dialogue 1
(Later…)
What would you like to eat?
Uh, scrambled egg with tomato, sour and spicy shredded potato, and two bowls of rice.
No, that's enough, thank you.
Dialogue 2 (In a company)
I'd like to find manager Wang.
I have an appointment with him at 10 o'clock this morning.
Dialogue 3（On the road）
Excuse me, may I ask where is the Windows of the World?
Go straight ahead until you past a traffic light.
Thanks
十分感谢 [shí fēn gǎn xiè]
Thank you very much.
非常感谢 [fēi cháng gǎn xiè]
Thank you very much.
(a bit more formal)
谢谢你 [xiè xie nǐ]
Thank you.
谢谢了 [xiè xie le]
Thank you.
多谢 [duō xiè]
Thanks a lot.
You can respond “Thanks” with:
不用谢 [bú yòng xiè]
Not at all.
不客气 [bú kè qi]
You're welcome.
别客气 [bié kè qi]
You're welcome.
不用客气 [bú yòng kè qi]
You're welcome.
没事儿 [méi shìr]
That's OK.
Example Sentences and Dialogues Sentence 1
My colleagues and I are grateful to your hospitality.
Sentence 2
Thank you very much for your support.
Dialogue 1
Dialogue 2
Dialogue 3
Apologies
道 歉 语 [dào qiàn yǔ]
Apologies
对不起 [duì bu qǐ]
Sorry (for a mistake, you feel not good and regret)
抱歉 [bào qiàn]
Sorry (for a mistake, you feel not good and regret)
不好意思 [bù hǎo yì si]
Sorry (for something you feel embarrassed about); excuse me
You can respond “Sorry” with:
没关系 [méi guān xi]
It doesn't matter
没事儿 [méi shìr]
That's all right.
Example Dialogues
Dialogue 1
Dialogue 2
Dialogue 3
Farewells
道 别 语 [dào bié yǔ]
Farewells
我先走了。 [wǒ xiān zǒu le.]
I'm off.
一会儿见。 [yí huìr jiàn.]
See you later.
回头见。 [huí tóu jiàn.]
See you around.
明天见。 [míng tiān jiàn.]
See you tomorrow.
下次见。 [xià cì jiàn.]
See you next time.
Example Dialogues
Dialogue 1
Dialogue 2
Dialogue 3
Dialogue 4
Dialogue 5
Dialogue 6
Dialogue 7
Vocabulary 麻 烦 [má fan]
to put sb to trouble; to bother sb
打 扰 [dǎ rǎo]
to disturb; to bother; to interrupt; to trouble
欢 迎 [huān yíng]
to welcome
稍 等 [shāo děng]
wait a moment
请多指教 [qǐng duō zhǐ jiào]
I will resign myself to your guidance.
请见谅 [qǐng jiàn liàng]
I beg your understanding/pardon.
请慢用 [qǐng màn yòng]
Help yourself please.
慢点儿 [màn diǎnr]
Take care.
一路顺风 [yí lù shùn fēng]
I wish you a good journey!
I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.
Is there anything I can do for you?
Let me help you.
