Mandarin Minutes

xiè xiè = 谢谢 = thank you

While I am not a huge fan of transliterations that use sound alike words to make foreign language phrases easier to remember, I have often told people that an easy way to approximate the pronunciation of the xiè in xiè xiè is to think of Shea Stadium in New York. While not exact, it is close enough to be completely understood, and the doubling of the word xiè in the phrase can be associated with New York, New York. Too much of a stretch? Whatever works for you then, as any device or method you use to remember and use words is a good one if it works. Tip of the hat to Guzman and his gum.

Xiè xiè is often followed by ní, the personal pronoun meaning you. Xiè ní is sometimes used as a simple thanks to a person who has helped answer a question or delivered a service.

Note: Mandarin Chinese often uses doubling of words, sometimes as emphasis, sometimes as a way of making the connotative meaning cute or petite, sometimes just for the sound of it. For example, kě kě ài ài meaning really, really cute (kě ài = 可爱 = cute), xiǎo xiǎo meaning really, really little (xiǎo = 小 = small, little).