客气

• 拼音: kè qi
• 汉字拆解: 客 = 宀 (roof) + 各 (each), meaning guest; 气 = simplified from 氣, depicting steam rising

含义

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.

例句

1. 他是个很客气的人，说话总是彬彬有礼。
2. 别客气，把这当成自己家就好。
3. 你太客气了，不用送这么贵重的礼物。

用法指南

语境: social, everyday, hospitality

语气: friendly

正确说法

• 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.)

错误说法

• 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)

起源与历史

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

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal