What Does 不客气 (bù kèqi) Mean in Chinese?
Traditional: 不客氣Reviewed context lessonVery common
You’re welcome / Don’t mention it
Quick answer: What does 不客气 mean?
不客气 — A standard response to thanks, literally telling the other person not to stand on ceremony.
✓You’re welcome.
✓Don’t mention it.
✓No need to be so polite.
What Chinese people actually mean
In actual speech, 不 may sound closer to bú before the fourth-tone 客 because of tone sandhi, while dictionaries commonly show the underlying tone as bù.
Tone and formality
Usually warm and polite as a reply to thanks.
Suitable in casual and formal everyday interactions.
Chinese characters
Open each character to see its own meanings and vocabulary links.
不búMeaning in this word: context-dependent客kècustomer; visitor; guest气qiMeaning in this word: context-dependent
Real conversations
1 · After thanks
A: 谢谢你帮我。
xièxie nǐ bāng wǒ.
A: Thanks for helping me.
B: 不客气。
bù kèqi.
B: You’re welcome.
How to pronounce 不客气
不客气
Tap to hear Mandarin.
bù4th tone (often sandhi in speech)
kè4th tone ↘
qineutral tone
When to use it
✓Neutral, standard, and safe in most situations.
✓不用谢 is another common response to thanks.
✓Tone sandhi affects how 不 sounds in connected speech.
Sources and editorial note
Base dictionary data: CC-CEDICT · CC BY-SA 4.0.Context lesson: Original Real Chinese launch content.