不用谢 vs 不客气: two ways to say “you’re welcome”
Both 不用谢 (búyòng xiè) and 不客气 (bú kèqi) mean “you’re welcome” in response to 谢谢 (thank you). 不客气 is the standard, polite all-rounder; 不用谢 is more colloquial, literally “no need for thanks,” and is used when the favor was trivial or between close acquaintances. They are largely interchangeable in casual settings, but 不客气 is safer in formal contexts.
When someone thanks you with 谢谢, the most common responses are 不用谢 and 不客气. 不客气 (literally “don’t be polite”) is the default polite reply and works in almost any situation. 不用谢 (literally “no need to thank”) is slightly more casual and often implies that the help was minor or expected. Though largely interchangeable in daily conversation, using 不客气 is always appropriate, while 不用谢 may sound too dismissive in very formal or heartfelt thanks. A third common option is 别客气 (bié kèqi), which is similar to 不客气 but slightly more friendly.
When to use each
Use 不用谢 when you want to say the thanks are unnecessary, especially after a small or routine favor. It is common between friends, family, or in casual service situations. It can feel warmer or more humble than 不客气 in close relationships.
不用谢 can sound a bit informal or even dismissive if the favor was significant; avoid it in formal thank-you exchanges (e.g., after a business gift or a big favor).
Use 不客气 as the standard, polite response to any thank-you. It is appropriate in all settings: formal, informal, with strangers or acquaintances. It is the safest choice when you are unsure which expression fits.
不客气 can be elaborated as 不用客气 (búyòng kèqi) for a slightly more emphatic polite tone. In very casual speech, people sometimes say 客气啥 (kèqi shá) or 别客气 (bié kèqi), not 不客 (which is not standard).
At a glance
| 不用谢 | 不客气 | |
|---|---|---|
| Literal meaning | no need to thank | don't be polite |
| Formality | Informal; best for casual situations | Neutral to formal; always appropriate |
| Implied attitude | Help was minor or expected | Polite acknowledgment of thanks |
| Typical users | Friends, family, service staff | Anyone, in all contexts |
| Common variations | — | 别客气 (bié kèqi), 不用客气 (búyòng kèqi) |
Examples
- 不客气A:谢谢你的帮助！B:不客气。A: Xièxie nǐ de bāngzhù! B: Bú kèqi.A: Thank you for your help! B: You're welcome.Standard, polite response in a neutral help situation.
- 不用谢A:谢谢你给我倒水。B:不用谢。A: Xièxie nǐ gěi wǒ dào shuǐ. B: Búyòng xiè.A: Thank you for pouring water for me. B: No need to thank me.Appropriate for a very small favor; sounds casual and warm.
- 不客气A:谢谢您送我这个礼物！B:不客气，你喜欢就好。A: Xièxie nín sòng wǒ zhège lǐwù! B: Bú kèqi, nǐ xǐhuān jiù hǎo.A: Thank you for giving me this gift! B: You're welcome; I'm glad you like it.Using 不客气 after receiving a gift keeps the tone polite and grateful; 不用谢 would sound too dismissive here.
- 不用谢A:麻烦你了！B:不用谢，这是我应该做的。A: Máfan nǐ le! B: Búyòng xiè, zhè shì wǒ yīnggāi zuò de.A: Sorry to trouble you! B: No need to thank me; it's my job.Common in service or work contexts where the help is expected, like a waiter or coworker.
Common mistakes
- Using 不用谢 after receiving a large gift or important favor — this can seem unappreciative; use 不客气 instead.
- Thinking 不用谢 is always interchangeable with 不客气; it is not appropriate in very formal written exchanges or when speaking to a superior.
- Shortening 不客气 to 不客 — native speakers do not use 不客 alone; use 别客气 or 客气啥 for casual alternatives.
FAQ
- When do I use 不用谢 vs 不客气?
- Use 不客气 as the default polite response to any thank-you. Use 不用谢 when you want to emphasize that the help was minor or not worth thanking, usually between friends or in casual service situations. In doubt, choose 不客气.
- Is 不用谢 rude in some situations?
- It can sound dismissive if the person is expressing deep gratitude for a big favor. In formal settings (e.g., a business thank-you note), 不客气 or 不用客气 is more appropriate.
- Can I say 不用客气 as a variant of 不客气?
- Yes, 不用客气 (búyòng kèqi, literally “no need to be polite”) is a slightly longer and more polite alternative to 不客气. It works well in both formal and informal situations.