客气

客氣
kèqi
adjective HSK 5 #1,265

Meanings

  1. 1 polite; courteous
  2. 2 modest; humble

Characters

Having the manner of a well-behaved guest - being polite.

Examples

HSK 1
Búkèqi!
You're welcome!
HSK 2
Bié kèqi, suíbiàn chī.
Don't be polite, eat as you like.
HSK 4
Suīrán zhǐshì tóngshì, dàn tā duì wǒ hěn kèqi, bǎochí zhe jùlí.
Although we're only colleagues, he's very polite to me and keeps his distance.

Tips

usage
不客气 is the standard "you're welcome" in response to 谢谢. 别客气 means "don't be so formal / polite"; used to put someone at ease.
culture
Being told 别客气 is very common in Chinese hospitality. Hosts expect guests to be 客气 (humble, politely declining offers at first), and then hosts insist. It is a social ritual.

Stroke Order