Being Polite

Expressions of Politeness

请 (qǐng): Please.
谢谢 (xièxie): Thank you.
不客气 (bú kèqì): You’re welcome.
对不起 (duìbuqǐ): Sorry.
请问 (qǐngwèn): May I ask…
请慢走 (qǐng màn zǒu): Take care (while leaving).
请坐 (qǐng zuò): Please sit down.

Respectful Forms of Address

先生 (xiānshēng): Mr.
女士 (nǚshì): Ms./Mrs.
小姐 (xiǎojiě): Miss.
老师 (lǎoshī): Teacher.

Using Titles

It’s respectful to use a person’s title plus surname instead of just the first name. For example:

张老师 (Zhāng lǎoshī): Teacher Zhang.
李先生 (Lǐ xiānshēng): Mr. Li.

Responses to Compliments

In Chinese culture, modesty is valued. So, giving a humble response to compliments is important.

哪里哪里 (nǎlǐ nǎlǐ): It’s nothing (lit. ‘where, where’). It’s used to downplay compliments.

Face Saving

Chinese culture places emphasis on “saving face” or maintaining dignity. Following phrases can come handy:

没关系 (méi guānxi): It doesn’t matter.
不用担心 (bùyòng dānxīn): Don’t worry.

Invitations and Refusals

Chinese has a tradition of polite refusals, especially when it comes to invitations or offers.

下次吧 (xià cì ba): Maybe next time.

Practicing these phrases in conversation and understanding their cultural significance can contribute to a more refined and authentic use of the Mandarin Chinese language.