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感谢 (gǎn xiè) — to thank; to express gratitude

Definition

A formal verb for 'to thank / express gratitude,' often in writing or speeches. It is more solemn than the everyday 谢谢 and stronger than the introspective 感激.

verb
to thankto express gratitude

Examples

  • 感谢。
    Wǒ shí fēn gǎn xiè nǐ de bāng zhù.
    I really thank you for your help.
  • 感谢。
    Tā gěi wǒ fā le yì tiáo duǎn xìn biǎo shì gǎn xiè.
    He sent me a text message to express his thanks.
  • 感谢。
    Tóng xué men dōu gǎn xiè lǎo shī nài xīn dì jiào tā men.
    The classmates all thank the teacher for teaching them patiently.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

感gǎngratitude
谢xièthanks

感 (gratitude) and 谢 (thanks) together mean to thank.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
心心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
咸
咸xián感gǎn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

感 pairs 咸, which gives the sound, with 心, the heart, for feeling.

Open 感 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 謝; 谢 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánword; speech
Sound part声符shēngfú
射
射shè謝xiè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 謝 pairs 言 (word; speech) with 射, which gives the sound. The simplified 谢 is a written form of this character.

Open 谢 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4500 Most Frequent Chinese WordsHSK 2.0 Level 41000 Most Frequent Chinese WordsGreetings & Politeness2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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