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March 24, 2026
谢(謝)xiè(Xie4)
The character 谢 (xiè) primarily means 'to thank' and is commonly used in the context of expressing gratitude. It can also imply apologizing or declining an offer, making it versatile in social interactions. Additionally, it conveys the physical sense of withering, often used to describe flowers or leaves in a figurative sense.
Strokes12Radical讠Frequency#1031DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing gratitude is significant, and 谢 is often used in various social settings, from casual interactions to formal occasions. The phrase '谢谢' is essential in maintaining harmonious relationships and showing respect.
Memory Tip
Imagine a flower (symbolizing gratitude) that is wilting (withering) as you say 'thank you' (xiè). The character 谢 combines the notion of appreciation and the fragility of beauty, linking both meanings to the sound 'xiè'. Visualize the flower wilting as you express your thanks, making the connection memorable.
Meanings of 谢
xiè(Xie4)
1to thank
2to apologize
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 谢
谢Simplified
謝Traditional
12Strokes
讠Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1031Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L1
Podcast: 谢
Podcast: 谢
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AI Study Notes for 谢
Quick Contrast
感谢 (gǎnxiè, to express gratitude) vs 谢 (xiè, to thank) — use 感谢 for a more formal or deeper expression of gratitude.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 谢, as it is pronounced with a falling tone (xiè). Common phrases include 谢谢 (xièxiè) for 'thank you' and 不客气 (bù kèqì) as a casual response meaning 'you're welcome'. Avoid using 谢 in overly formal contexts where other expressions may be more suitable.
HSK Study Tips
Although not explicitly listed in HSK levels, 谢 appears frequently in HSK vocabulary due to its importance in polite conversation. Students should practice using it in different contexts, such as thanking someone or apologizing, to build conversational fluency.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 谢 with 说 (shuō), which means 'to say'. For instance, saying '我谢他' (wǒ shuō tā) instead of '我谢谢他' (wǒ xièxiè tā) is incorrect. Always remember to use the correct form when expressing thanks.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 谢
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Simplified form of 謝. Phonosemantic compound. 言 represents the meaning and 射 represents the sound.
1The meaning half讠 carries the sense.
2The sound half射 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayspeech
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 谢? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 谢?
Decomposition of 谢
IDS Structure⿰讠射
谢Full Character
=
讠yan2
left
射she4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 谢?
How to say to thank in Chinese
“to thank” in Chinese is谢xiè
The character 谢 (xiè) primarily means 'to thank' and is commonly used in the context of expressing gratitude. It can also imply apologizing or declining an offer, making it versatile in social interactions. Additionally, it conveys the physical sense of withering, often used to describe flowers or leaves in a figurative sense.
When to use 谢
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 谢, as it is pronounced with a falling tone (xiè). Common phrases include 谢谢 (xièxiè) for 'thank you' and 不客气 (bù kèqì) as a casual response meaning 'you're welcome'. Avoid using 谢 in overly formal contexts where other expressions may be more suitable.
谢 or something close to it
感谢 (gǎnxiè, to express gratitude) vs 谢 (xiè, to thank) — use 感谢 for a more formal or deeper expression of gratitude.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 谢 with 说 (shuō), which means 'to say'. For instance, saying '我谢他' (wǒ shuō tā) instead of '我谢谢他' (wǒ xièxiè tā) is incorrect. Always remember to use the correct form when expressing thanks.
Write 谢
谢
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Grammar Patterns of 谢
谢 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
