不客气

• Pinyin: bú kè qi
• Hanzi breakdown: 不 (not) + 客 (guest) + 气 (air, manner) — no need for formality

Meaning

You're welcome. The standard polite response when someone thanks you.

Literally 'don't be polite' or 'no need for formality'. The most common reply to 谢谢 (thank you). Can also be used to mean 'don't be shy about it' or 'feel free'. A cornerstone of Chinese politeness formulas.

Examples

1. 谢谢！不客气。 Thank you! You're welcome.
2. 不客气，这是我应该做的。 You're welcome; it's what I should do.
3. 他说了谢谢，她说不客气。 He said thank you, and she said you're welcome.

Usage Guide

Context: politeness, everyday

Tone: polite

Do Say

• 不客气，小事。(You're welcome, it was nothing.)
• 别客气，随便坐。(Don't be formal; sit anywhere.)

Don't Say

• 对没帮过忙的事说不客气 (Don't say 不客气 if you didn't actually help — it only makes sense as a response to thanks)

Origin & History

Composed of 不 (not) + 客气 (polite, formal). Literally 'don't be so formal' — telling the other person there is no need for gratitude because the help was natural.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal