Cảm ơn and xin lỗi

What you will learn

This lesson covers the two essential expressions cảm ơn and xin lỗi, but the real goal is to use them naturally with forms of address and context.

1. Cảm ơn — thank you

Cảm ơn means “thank you”. You can use it alone, but Vietnamese often adds the person being thanked:

• Cảm ơn bạn. — Thank you.
• Cảm ơn anh. — Thank you, to anh.
• Cảm ơn chị. — Thank you, to chị.
• Em cảm ơn cô. — Thank you, said with em/cô relationship terms.

2. Xin lỗi — sorry / excuse me

Xin lỗi can apologize or politely get someone’s attention.

• Xin lỗi, tôi đến muộn. — Sorry, I’m late.
• Xin lỗi, nhà vệ sinh ở đâu? — Excuse me, where is the restroom?
• Xin lỗi anh. — Sorry / excuse me, to anh.

3. A short conversation

Khách: Chị ơi, cho em hỏi nhà vệ sinh ở đâu ạ?

Nhân viên: Em đi thẳng rồi rẽ trái nhé.

Khách: Dạ, em cảm ơn chị.

Nhân viên: Không có gì.

4. How to respond to thanks

Common responses include:

• Không có gì. — You’re welcome / It’s nothing.
• Có gì đâu. — It’s nothing / No big deal, more conversational.
• Không sao. — It’s okay / no problem, depending on context.

The exact English translation changes with the situation.

5. Politeness is not one word

Vietnamese politeness often comes from the whole sentence. Compare:

• Cảm ơn.
• Dạ, em cảm ơn chị.

Both can be correct. The second sentence expresses the social relationship more clearly and sounds more respectful in the right situation.

6. Useful vocabulary

• cảm ơn — thank
• xin lỗi — sorry / excuse me
• không có gì — you’re welcome / it’s nothing
• có gì đâu — it’s nothing / no big deal
• không sao — it’s okay / no problem
• đến muộn — arrive late
• cho ... hỏi — may I ask...
• ơi — calling/attention particle used with a form of address

7. Vietnam in real life

You may sometimes notice fewer explicit “thank you” or “sorry” phrases in close family relationships than in English-speaking environments. That does not automatically mean less gratitude or concern. Care can also be expressed through action, food, help and relationship language. Usage varies by person, generation and situation.

8. Common beginner mistake

Do not overuse xin as if it always makes a sentence polite. Learn complete expressions in context: xin lỗi, xin chào, and other established patterns.

Try it

1. Thank an older woman you address as chị.
2. Say “Excuse me, where is the restroom?”
3. Respond to a thank-you with không có gì.
4. Build one sentence using cho em hỏi...

Quick recap

Cảm ơn and xin lỗi are easy to memorize. Natural Vietnamese comes from adding the right relationship words and choosing a response that fits the situation.