<p>I think a general response would be "保重" (take care).</p>

<p>Never heard anyone saying things like: "一百岁 (yì bǎi suì), 保佑你 (bǎo yòu nǐ) or 长命百岁 (chánɡ mìnɡ bǎi suì);", that would be <em>really</em> creepy if I heard that.</p>

<p>"多喝点水 (Duō hē diǎn shuǐ)" would be fine, though, it's kinda like saying "保重", but it would be more likely to say when someone coughing, not sneezing.</p>

<p>You can add some trailing words like: "保重點", "保重啊", "小心點"...etc to be more natural.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-31T09:48:10.693Z
2014-07-31T09:48:10.693Z
Marson Mao
<p>First of all, there is no such social expectations in China nowadays.</p>

<p>However, in some areas, it may be appropriate to say "长命百岁"(wish you a long life). But again this is very uncommon nowadays. Maybe one would say it when an elderly sneeze or cough. More generally, there wouldn't be a response just to be polite.</p>

<p>If you really would like to express concern, you can ask whether they caught a cold or offer some advice such as "It's getting cold, you'd better put on a coat". However, those responses are not part a prescribed custom. It's part of your conversation and the sneezer will response to your question accordingly with the impression that you meant it.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-01T08:13:29.473Z
2014-08-01T08:13:29.473Z
user1228520
<p>i sneeze and no one really says anything in china. i dont think any1 say's bao y</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-27T00:32:05.887Z
2019-02-27T00:32:05.887Z
Jasper Li
<p>From Wikipedia: [which funnily enough has a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responses_to_sneezing" rel="noreferrer">Responses To Sneezing</a> page]</p>

<p>Usual Responses and Notes</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>多喝点水 (Duō hē diǎn shuǐ), 一百岁 (yì bǎi suì), 保佑你 (bǎo yòu nǐ) or 长命百岁 (chánɡ mìnɡ bǎi suì); <strong>frequently, listeners do not comment on the sneeze</strong>.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>meaning:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>"Drink more water","May you live for a hundred years.", "bless you." or "May you live to one hundred years."</p>
</blockquote>

<p>sneezer reply:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>呵呵,不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si)</p>
</blockquote>

<p>meaning:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>"He he (No meaning, just smile politely)","Excuse me."</p>
</blockquote>

<p>tl;dr: <strong>frequently, listeners do not comment on the sneeze</strong>.</p>

<hr>

<p>Here's some info on <strong>Cantonese</strong></p>

<p>Usual Responses and Notes</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>大吉利事. Sneezing in Southern Chinese culture means that someone is speaking ill behind your back.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>meaning:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>"A great fortunate occurrence."    </p>
</blockquote>

<p>sneezer reply:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>唔好意思   </p>
</blockquote>

<p>meaning:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>"Sorry."</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-30T15:27:14.957Z
2014-07-30T15:27:14.957Z
Mou某
<p>In English, one might say "bless you" or "gesundheit" in response to a friend sneezing. Is there a Chinese equivalent? If so, what is it?</p>

<politeness>
What is the polite way to respond to a sneeze in Chinese?
# What is the polite way to respond to a sneeze in Chinese?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-07-30)

In English, one might say "bless you" or "gesundheit" in response to a friend sneezing. Is there a Chinese equivalent? If so, what is it?

**Tags:** politeness


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## 4 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2014-07-30. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

From Wikipedia: [which funnily enough has a [Responses To Sneezing](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responses_to_sneezing) page]

Usual Responses and Notes

> 多喝点水 (Duō hē diǎn shuǐ), 一百岁 (yì bǎi suì), 保佑你 (bǎo yòu nǐ) or 长命百岁 (chánɡ mìnɡ bǎi suì); **frequently, listeners do not comment on the sneeze**.

meaning:

> "Drink more water","May you live for a hundred years.", "bless you." or "May you live to one hundred years."

sneezer reply:

> 呵呵,不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si)

meaning:

> "He he (No meaning, just smile politely)","Excuse me."

tl;dr: **frequently, listeners do not comment on the sneeze**.

---

Here's some info on **Cantonese**

Usual Responses and Notes

> 大吉利事. Sneezing in Southern Chinese culture means that someone is speaking ill behind your back.

meaning:

> "A great fortunate occurrence."

sneezer reply:

> 唔好意思

meaning:

> "Sorry."


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### Answer by username_1 on 2014-07-31. Score: 3

I think a general response would be "保重" (take care).

Never heard anyone saying things like: "一百岁 (yì bǎi suì), 保佑你 (bǎo yòu nǐ) or 长命百岁 (chánɡ mìnɡ bǎi suì);", that would be *really* creepy if I heard that.

"多喝点水 (Duō hē diǎn shuǐ)" would be fine, though, it's kinda like saying "保重", but it would be more likely to say when someone coughing, not sneezing.

You can add some trailing words like: "保重點", "保重啊", "小心點"...etc to be more natural.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2014-08-01. Score: 2

First of all, there is no such social expectations in China nowadays.

However, in some areas, it may be appropriate to say "长命百岁"(wish you a long life). But again this is very uncommon nowadays. Maybe one would say it when an elderly sneeze or cough. More generally, there wouldn't be a response just to be polite.

If you really would like to express concern, you can ask whether they caught a cold or offer some advice such as "It's getting cold, you'd better put on a coat". However, those responses are not part a prescribed custom. It's part of your conversation and the sneezer will response to your question accordingly with the impression that you meant it.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2019-02-27. Score: -1

i sneeze and no one really says anything in china. i dont think any1 say's bao y


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