The Most Useful Ways to Respond to Compliments in Chinese

Chinese people love to pay compliments to each other on different occasions. It is considered a vital tradition as Chinese people believe that paying sincere compliments to others is an inalienable part of interpersonal relationship. Meanwhile, it is important to have a clear idea of what you need to say when receiving compliments from other people. Here are some Chinese phrases you may need when someone pays a compliment to you.

3 Phrases to Respond to Compliments in Chinese

1. It’s nothing

哪里哪里。
Nǎlǐ nǎlǐ.
It’s nothing.

This is one of the Chinese phrases that you might be interested in learning. It is a “peculiar” phrase as its literal meaning is “where where”. In general, Chinese people are modest and wouldn’t like to brag about their strengths. That’s why many Chinese people tend to react to other people’s compliments using this phrase. “哪里哪里” (nǎlǐ nǎlǐ) is treated as “it’s nothing” or “I don’t deserve your compliment” in Chinese people’s daily lives.

EXAMPLE:

A: 你的中文非常好。
Nǐ de Zhōngwén fēichánghǎo.
Your Chinese is very good.

B: 哪里哪里。
Nǎlǐ nǎlǐ.
Not really.

2. You too / Yours as well

你也是 / 你的也是。
Nǐ yě shì. / Nǐ de yě shì.
You too. / Yours as well.

In addition to being modest, Chinese people think it’s important to reciprocate other people’s kindness. Therefore, when Chinese people receive compliments from others, they would like to say something nice back to them. One of the Chinese phrases that can often be heard in similar situations is “你也是 / 你的也是” (nǐ yě shì / nǐ de yě shì).

EXAMPLE:

A: 你今天真漂亮。
Nǐ jīntiān zhēn piàoliàng.
You look gorgeous today.

B: 你也是。
Nǐ yě shì.
You too.

C: 你的衣服真漂亮。
Nǐ de yīfú zhēn piàoliàng.
Your clothes are really beautiful.

D: 你的也是。
Nǐ de yě shì.
Yours as well.

3. I will continue working hard

我会继续努力的。
Wǒ huì jìxù nǔlì de.
I will continue working hard.

Professionalism is highly valued among Chinese employees. However, Chinese people wouldn’t get conceited when their working ability is appreciated by their superiors. What they will let their superiors know is that there is still room for improvement. “我会继续努力的” (wǒ huì jìxù nǔlì de) is one of the Chinese phrases that can be used in this situation.

VOCABULARY:

继续
jìxù
to continue

努力
nǔlì
hardworking

We hope these phrases and questions will be useful and help you respond to compliments in Chinese. To find out more interesting phrases and questions in Chinese, check out one of our blog posts 5 Small Talk Phrases in Chinese