In Cantonese, 不客氣 (bù kèqi) is 唔使客氣 (m4 sai2 haak3 hei3), "no need to be polite". The rule: the reply to thanks is built from 唔使 m4 sai2 ("no need") and 客氣 haak3 hei3 (polite, courteous). The full phrase is in the dictionary as 唔使客氣. Mandarin 不客氣 exists as bat1 haak3 hei3, but its dictionary glosses include "impolite" and "blunt", so spoken Cantonese uses 唔使客氣. The thanks that it answers is in xièxie in Cantonese. Check Mandarin tone marks with the pinyin converter.
| If you'd say (Mandarin) | Say (Cantonese) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 不客氣 bù kèqi (you're welcome) | 唔使客氣 m4 sai2 haak3 hei3 | The everyday reply |
| 不用謝 búyòng xiè (no need to thank) | 唔使多謝 m4 sai2 do1 ze6 | Colloquial reply to 多謝 |
| 不用謝 (after a service) | 唔使唔該 m4 sai2 m4 goi1 | The reply to 唔該; see 唔該 vs 多謝 |
| 不用 búyòng (no need) | 唔使 m4 sai2 | The core pattern; 不 becomes 唔 |
| 沒事 méishì (it's nothing) | 冇事 mou5 si6 | 冇 replaces 沒; see méi guānxi |
| 沒關係 méi guānxi | 唔緊要 m4 gan2 jiu3 | For apologies, not thanks |
| 客氣 kèqi (polite) | 客氣 haak3 hei3 | Same word, new reading |
| 謝謝 xièxie (thanks) | 多謝 do1 ze6 / 唔該 m4 goi1 | Gift versus service |
| Situation | Say | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Someone thanks you for a gift or help | 唔使客氣 | The standard reply |
| A friend says 多謝 | 唔使多謝 | Echoes their word |
| Someone says 唔該 for a service | 唔使唔該 | Echoes their word |
| A very big thank-you | 唔使客氣 plus a smile | Stays warm and modest |
| Someone apologises to you | 唔緊要 | Different reply; see méi guānxi |
| Writing a formal note | 不客氣 | Written register, but check the tone of the sentence |
Saying 不客氣 aloud as bat1 haak3 hei3. It is read that way in writing, but in the dictionary the same three characters also mean impolite or blunt, so the spoken reply is 唔使客氣.
More learner answers on the FAQ page; next Mandarin bridges: xièxie, duìbuqǐ, méi guānxi, or browse all Mandarin-to-Cantonese guides; classic mix-ups: 唔該 vs 多謝.
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