How do I say 'you're welcome'?
The standard and safe response to thanks — correct everywhere, though alternatives often sound warmer.
不客气
You're welcome.
No need to be polite.
You're welcome.
WHEN IT FITS
不客气 is the safe, correct response to 谢谢 — it works everywhere and offends nowhere. But it is worth knowing that native speakers deploy a richer set of responses depending on the relationship and the size of the favor:
- 没事 (“it’s nothing”) minimizes your contribution. Use this for small favors — holding a door, passing something, giving directions. It says “this cost me nothing, don’t worry about it.”
- 应该的 (“it was only right”) is warmer than 不客气. It suggests that helping was natural given who you are to each other. A colleague might say this after staying late to help; a friend after lending money. It turns the thanks into a statement about the relationship rather than the transaction.
- 不客气 is the neutral middle — polite, complete, and slightly formal. It is the right choice with strangers, in service situations, and whenever you are unsure.
Chinese also has a fourth option that English lacks: saying nothing and simply moving on. Between very close friends and family, a verbal 谢谢 / 不客气 exchange can mark unnecessary distance.
HOW PEOPLE ACTUALLY SAY IT
谢谢你帮我。不客气。
Thanks for helping me. You're welcome.
Standard response太感谢了!不客气,应该的。
Thank you so much! You're welcome — it was the right thing to do.
Warm deflectionCHOOSE BY SITUATION
没事
It's nothing / no worries.
The help was small and you want to minimize it — very common among friends应该的
It was only right / it's what I should do.
The help was natural or expected given your relationship or role