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Trang P Trang P
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How the Chinese say "thank you",what will they do to express gratitude?

  • 3 years ago
KiMM CHEE by KiMM CHEE
Member since:
September 17, 2006
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In Mandarin, it's xie xie. You would use it when anyone shows hospitality or gives you something. If someone picks up some food and brings it to your plate you would say xie xie but if someone poured tea for you, you would lightly tap your index and middle finger together on the table. This gesture originated in the old Chinese practice of "koutou". This is a very traditional gesture that is when someone gets on their knees and bows their head, the higher place the person, the lower your head goes. This gesture is rarely practiced nowadays but according to legend, one day, the Emperor decided to wander into the public to enjoy a lunch. He was sitting at his table with his advisors when he suddenly picked up the teapot and poured tea for them. His advisors were shocked and didn't know how to respond. Normally, they would koutou, but it is inappropiate for one to leave the table without completion of a meal ESPECIALLY leaving the Emperor. So they rapped their fingers on the table to symbolize their legs on the ground bowing to him.

In Cantonese, there is two ways to say thank you. One is "daw jhe" and it is the more casual one. Because saying thanks is to show one's gratitude and respect, it is not used as often. It is usually used when one is paid a compliment or given something casual. Usually, you would say "daw jhe" when you receive something that the giver is not obligated to give. Often, you would rarely use this to thank an elder.The other saying is "mm goy" and this is the more respectful and proper way to say thank you and thus is used more often. It's used for when you are given almost anything and the best way to thank an elder.
  • 3 years ago
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Other Answers (6)

  • dorothy m by dorothy m
    Member since:
    October 20, 2006
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    218 (Level 1)
    Thank you in Chinese is "xie xie"

    Source(s):

    http://www.elite.net/~runner/jennifers/thankyou.htm
    • 3 years ago
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  • precious z by precious z
    Member since:
    October 11, 2006
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    1160 (Level 3)
    I dont know how they spell it but it is pronounced sheh-sheh. I dont know how they express it but if you give a gift do it discreetly and dont show boistrous affection. I think they will smile just like anybody else.
    • 3 years ago
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  • magilla_the_friendly_gorilla by magilla_...
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    11187 (Level 6)
    Shi shi, shiiii. Nee haam eh!
    • 3 years ago
    0% 0 Votes
  • Taurelilómëa-tumbalemorna by Taurelil...
    Member since:
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    6265 (Level 5)
    Thank you in Mandarin Chinese is 'Xie xie', in Hokkian Chinese it's ' Kam shiah'. The usual gesture for this is to wrap your left palm around your right fist, joining the tumbs parallely together, and wave them slightly in front of your chest while you bow and/or nod slightly to the addressed person. A smile will be useful with these.
    • 3 years ago
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  • Hitsugaya_LoverGal by Hitsugay...
    Member since:
    February 01, 2006
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    812 (Level 2)
    xie xie...
    • 3 years ago
    0% 0 Votes
  • SilverTonguedDevil by SilverTo...
    Member since:
    May 11, 2006
    Total points:
    17839 (Level 6)
    Chinese pronunciation is approximated by a spelling language called Pinyin. The letters are the same alphabet as English but pronunciation is Chinese. Thank you in Mandarin (the official language, so says the government) is spelled "xie xie" in Pinyin. That "X" is not like "sh" of telling someone to hush. Pull your lips back against your teeth, keep the upper and lower teeth slightly separate and put the tongue against the teeth. Now try to make a softer, gentler "sh" sound followed by "ee-eh". This is all blended into a smooth diphthong, not separate vowels. It can be doubled, "xie xie xie xie" much like "Thank you, thank you." Two common variants: Add "ni" (meaning "you") to get "xie xie ni", making it more emphatic, a bit like "Oh, thanks so very much". Add "ah" (no meaning except softening or "fine") to get "xie xie ah". The last two characters are so closely spoken that it often sounds like "xie xiah". This is the most common pronunciation I have heard in my three years in both western and eastern China.

    The clasped fists are not seen often and represents a friendly, traditional gesture on meeting, greeting, thanking or leaving. It comes from a method of showing that no weapon is in hand.

    Gratitude is shown in much the same way as westerners would. For big thanks, dinner at a restaurant can be hosted by the grateful person or couple. A gift of liquor or jade is common in western China, delivered in person, unwrapped, at the home of the one being thanked. Gifts in eastern China may include jade or a bottle of red wine but usually exclude liquor.

    General gratitude for a business relationship or help by an educational advisor to a graduate student might include gifts for the children of the honored one rather than or in addition to gifts for the honored one himself, such as books, clothes, CDs or DVDs.
    • 3 years ago
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