All words ›Xie xie
PhraseHow to pronounce “Xie xie” (thank you)
谢谢xiè xie
Literally: thanks, thanks.
“shay-shay” with two equal, heavy syllables
syeh-sye — the first falls, the second is light and toneless
The shape of the word
Tap any syllable to hear it. The curve above each one is the tone you are aiming for.
Syllable by syllable
| Syllable | Tone | Practise it |
|---|---|---|
| 谢 xiè | Fourth tone — sharp fall | xie — open drill → |
| 谢 xie | Neutral tone — short and weightless | xie — open drill → |
The second syllable is neutral: short, quiet, no tone shape of its own. Giving it a full fourth tone is the tell of a beginner.
Questions people ask
How do you pronounce Xie xie?
Xie xie is 谢谢, xiè xie — syeh-sye — the first falls, the second is light and toneless. Literally it means thanks, thanks.
What is the most common mistake with Xie xie?
“shay-shay” with two equal, heavy syllables
Is there anything else worth knowing about Xie xie?
The second syllable is neutral: short, quiet, no tone shape of its own. Giving it a full fourth tone is the tell of a beginner.
More words people mispronounce
Reading a respelling is not the same as producing the tones. The free 2-minute check listens to you and shows which syllables land wrong.