客气

• Pinyin: kè qi
• Hanzi breakdown: 客 = 宀 (roof) + 各 (each), meaning guest; 气 = simplified from 氣, depicting steam rising

Meaning

Polite; courteous; to be polite. Being formal or ceremonious in manner.

Describes polite, formal, or ceremonious behavior. Also used as a phrase in social exchanges like 不客气 (you're welcome) and 别客气 (don't be so formal/help yourself). Can imply excessive formality or distance between people.

Examples

1. 他是个很客气的人，说话总是彬彬有礼。 He is a very polite person; he always speaks courteously.
2. 别客气，把这当成自己家就好。 Don't be so formal; just treat this place like your own home.
3. 你太客气了，不用送这么贵重的礼物。 You're too polite; you don't need to give such an expensive gift.

Usage Guide

Context: social, everyday, hospitality

Tone: friendly

Do Say

• 不客气，这是我应该做的。(You're welcome; it's what I should do.)
• 你们太客气了，让我很不好意思。(You're too polite; it makes me feel embarrassed.)

Don't Say

• 他对我很客气，我们是好朋友。(客气 often implies distance — good friends are usually 随意 not 客气)

Origin & History

客 (kè, guest) + 气 (qì, air/manner). Originally described the manner appropriate for guests, extended to mean polite behavior.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal