bù gǎn dāng: 不敢当 - I don't deserve it, You flatter me

• Keywords: bugandang, bu gan dang, 不敢当, how to respond to a compliment in Chinese, Chinese humility, you flatter me in Chinese, I don't deserve it in Chinese, polite Chinese phrases, Chinese etiquette, 哪里哪里, 过奖了.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese phrase 不敢当 (bù gǎn dāng), a polite and culturally significant way to respond to compliments, meaning “I don't deserve it” or “You flatter me.” This guide explores its meaning, cultural roots in humility, and practical use in modern China, helping you sound more like a native speaker and understand the nuances of Chinese etiquette.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): bù gǎn dāng
• Part of Speech: Verb phrase / Interjection
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: I dare not accept (such praise or honor); you flatter me.
• In a Nutshell: 不敢当 (bù gǎn dāng) is a classic, humble response to a significant compliment or honor in Chinese. Instead of simply saying “Thank you,” which can sometimes be perceived as arrogant, a speaker uses 不敢当 to deflect the praise, showing modesty and respect for the person giving the compliment. It's a verbal bow that maintains social harmony.

• 不 (bù): The most common character for “not” or “no.” It's a simple negation.
• 敢 (gǎn): Meaning “to dare” or “to have the courage to.” Think of it as having the audacity or boldness to do something.
• 当 (dāng): A versatile character meaning “to bear,” “to accept,” “to undertake,” or “to be worthy of.”

When combined, 不敢当 (bù gǎn dāng) literally translates to “I do not dare to accept/bear [this praise].” This structure perfectly captures the feeling of humbly asserting that you are not yet worthy of the compliment being given.

The use of 不敢当 (bù gǎn dāng) is deeply rooted in the traditional Chinese value of 谦虚 (qiānxū) - humility or modesty. In Chinese culture, overt self-confidence can easily be mistaken for arrogance. Modesty is seen as a virtue that fosters social harmony and shows respect for others. This contrasts sharply with modern American/Western culture, where accepting a compliment with a direct “Thank you” is considered confident and polite. To a Westerner, deflecting a compliment might seem insecure or like “fishing for more compliments.” In China, however, deflection is the polite norm. Using 不敢当 is a way of managing 面子 (miànzi) - “face” or social standing. By deflecting praise, you elevate the person who gave the compliment (by valuing their words so highly) while preventing yourself from appearing conceited. It's a sophisticated social maneuver that signals cultural fluency. While younger generations might use simpler phrases like 哪里哪里 (nǎlǐ nǎlǐ), 不敢当 remains the gold standard for formal or significant situations.

不敢当 is considered polite and somewhat formal. It's most appropriate when you receive a significant compliment, especially from an elder, a superior, or someone you respect.

• Responding to Compliments on Skills/Achievements: When someone praises your Chinese, your calligraphy, or your professional success, 不敢当 is a perfect response. It implies you are still learning and have a long way to go.
• Receiving an Honor or Title: If someone introduces you as “the expert” (专家) or “the master” (大师), responding with 不敢当 is a standard way to show you don't feel worthy of such a lofty title.
• In Business and Formal Settings: It is frequently used in business negotiations, academic conferences, and formal dinners to maintain a humble and respectful posture.

While it is still widely understood and used, in very casual situations among close friends, it might sound a bit stiff. In such cases, a simple 过奖了 (guòjiǎng le) (“you've over-praised me”) or a playful 没有啦 (méiyǒu la) might be more common.

• Example 1:
  • A: 你的中文说得真地道，像本地人一样！
  • B: 不敢当，不敢当。我还有很多要学习的地方。
  • Pinyin: A: Nǐ de Zhōngwén shuō de zhēn dìdào, xiàng běndìrén yīyàng! B: Bù gǎn dāng, bù gǎn dāng. Wǒ hái yǒu hěn duō yào xuéxí de dìfāng.
  • English: A: Your Chinese is so authentic, just like a native speaker! B: You flatter me, you flatter me. I still have a lot to learn.
  • Analysis: A classic response for a language learner. Repeating it twice (“不敢当，不敢当”) adds emphasis and sincerity to the humility.
• Example 2:
  • A: 王经理，您真是我们公司的商业奇才！
  • B: 您过奖了，这个“奇才”我可不敢当。
  • Pinyin: A: Wáng jīnglǐ, nín zhēnshi wǒmen gōngsī de shāngyè qícái! B: Nín guòjiǎng le, zhège “qícái” wǒ kě bù gǎn dāng.
  • English: A: Manager Wang, you truly are the business genius of our company! B: You've praised me too much, I really can't accept the title of “genius.”
  • Analysis: Here, 不敢当 is used to specifically refuse a lofty title (“奇才” - genius). The particle 可 (kě) adds emphasis.
• Example 3:
  • A: 李教授，您在物理学界的贡献无人能及。
  • B: 不敢当，我只是站在了巨人的肩膀上。
  • Pinyin: A: Lǐ jiàoshòu, nín zài wùlǐxué jiè de gòngxiàn wúrén néng jí. B: Bù gǎn dāng, wǒ zhǐshì zhàn zài le jùrén de jiānbǎng shàng.
  • English: A: Professor Li, your contributions to the world of physics are unparalleled. B: I don't deserve such praise; I am merely standing on the shoulders of giants.
  • Analysis: This shows a very formal and eloquent use of 不敢当, followed by a famous humble expression.
• Example 4:
  • A: 你做的这顿饭太好吃了，堪比五星级大厨！
  • B: 不敢当，家常便饭而已，喜欢就多吃点。
  • Pinyin: A: Nǐ zuò de zhè dùn fàn tài hǎochī le, kānbǐ wǔxīngjí dàchú! B: Bù gǎn dāng, jiāchángbiànfàn éryǐ, xǐhuān jiù duō chī diǎn.
  • English: A: This meal you made is so delicious, it's comparable to a five-star chef! B: You're too kind, it's just a simple home-cooked meal. If you like it, please eat more.
  • Analysis: A common scenario for a host being complimented. 不敢当 is followed by a typical phrase that downplays the effort (“家常便饭” - simple home-cooked meal).
• Example 5:
  • A: 这是我们为您颁发的“年度最佳员工”奖，恭喜您！
  • B: 谢谢大家，这个荣誉我真是不敢当。
  • Pinyin: A: Zhè shì wǒmen wèi nín bānfā de “niándù zuì jiā yuángōng” jiǎng, gōngxǐ nín! B: Xièxiè dàjiā, zhège róngyù wǒ zhēnshi bù gǎn dāng.
  • English: A: This is the “Employee of the Year” award we are presenting to you. Congratulations! B: Thank you, everyone. I truly feel I don't deserve this honor.
  • Analysis: Used when formally receiving an award. Here, the speaker says “Thank you” first to acknowledge the group, then uses 不敢当 to show humility about deserving the award itself.
• Example 6:
  • A: 您的儿子真有出息，考上了清华大学！
  • B: 不敢当，是他自己努力，运气也好。
  • Pinyin: A: Nín de érzi zhēn yǒu chūxi, kǎo shàng le Qīnghuá dàxué! B: Bù gǎn dāng, shì tā zìjǐ nǔlì, yùnqì yě hǎo.
  • English: A: Your son is so successful, he got into Tsinghua University! B: You're too kind. It was his own hard work, and he was lucky too.
  • Analysis: A parent deflecting praise about their child. This is very common, as taking direct credit would be seen as boastful.
• Example 7:
  • A: 张总，大家都说您是这个行业的泰斗。
  • B: “泰斗”这两个字我不敢当，我还差得远呢。
  • Pinyin: A: Zhāng zǒng, dàjiā dōu shuō nín shì zhège hángyè de tàidǒu. B: “Tàidǒu” zhè liǎng ge zì wǒ bù gǎn dāng, wǒ hái chà de yuǎn ne.
  • English: A: President Zhang, everyone says you are the leading authority in this industry. B: I wouldn't dare call myself a “leading authority,” I still have a long way to go.
  • Analysis: Similar to example 2, this shows how to deflect a very specific, high-status label (“泰斗” - leading authority). The follow-up “我还差得远呢” (I'm still far from it) is a classic humble phrase.
• Example 8:
  • A: 你今天穿这件旗袍真漂亮，气质特别好。
  • B: 真的吗？谢谢你！这个“漂亮”我可不敢当。
  • Pinyin: A: Nǐ jīntiān chuān zhè jiàn qípáo zhēn piàoliang, qìzhì tèbié hǎo. B: Zhēn de ma? Xièxie nǐ! Zhège “piàoliang” wǒ kě bù gǎn dāng.
  • English: A: You look so beautiful in that qipao today, your aura is exceptional. B: Really? Thank you! I don't know if I deserve to be called “beautiful.”
  • Analysis: While less common for simple appearance compliments (where “谢谢” or “哪里哪里” are frequent), 不敢当 can be used if the praise is particularly effusive or formal, adding a touch of coyness and humility.
• Example 9:
  • A: 这是我给您带的一点小礼物，不成敬意。
  • B: 您太客气了！这么贵重的礼物，我不敢当啊！
  • Pinyin: A: Zhè shì wǒ gěi nín dài de yīdiǎn xiǎo lǐwù, bù chéng jìngyì. B: Nín tài kèqì le! Zhème guìzhòng de lǐwù, wǒ bù gǎn dāng a!
  • English: A: Here is a small gift I brought for you, it's just a small token of my respect. B: You're too courteous! This gift is so valuable, I can't possibly accept it!
  • Analysis: 不敢当 can be used when receiving a gift that feels too expensive or generous. It conveys the feeling of being overwhelmed by the giver's generosity.
• Example 10:
  • A: 小陈，这次的项目多亏了你，你是我们的大功臣！
  • B: 不敢当，这都是团队合作的结果。
  • Pinyin: A: Xiǎo Chén, zhè cì de xiàngmù duōkuī le nǐ, nǐ shì wǒmen de dà gōngchén! B: Bù gǎn dāng, zhè dōu shì tuánduì hézuò de jiéguǒ.
  • English: A: Xiao Chen, this project succeeded thanks to you. You're our great hero! B: I don't deserve the credit; it was the result of the whole team's cooperation.
  • Analysis: A perfect example of deflecting individual praise and redirecting it to the group, which is highly valued in collectivist work cultures.

• Overuse in Casual Contexts: A common mistake for learners is using 不敢当 for minor, everyday compliments. If someone says, “Nice shirt!” (你的衬衫很好看!), responding with 不敢当 is overkill and sounds unnatural. A simple 谢谢 (xièxie) is much better. Reserve 不敢当 for praise related to your skills, character, achievements, or significant efforts.
• False Friend: “I'm not worthy”: In English, the phrase “I'm not worthy” (like in the movie *Wayne's World*) is often sarcastic or extremely dramatic. 不敢当 is not sarcastic. It is a sincere, albeit formulaic, expression of social politeness. It's less about a genuine deep-seated feeling of inadequacy and more about performing the virtue of humility.
• Incorrect Usage Example:
  • Friend A: 我们去看电影吧？(Wǒmen qù kàn diànyǐng ba? - Let's go see a movie?)
  • Learner B: 不敢当。 (Bù gǎn dāng.)
  • Why it's wrong: 不敢当 is a response to praise or honor, not an answer to a suggestion or invitation. In this case, the learner should have said “好啊” (hǎo a - okay) or “我不想去” (wǒ bù xiǎng qù - I don't want to go).

• 哪里哪里 (nǎlǐ nǎlǐ) - Literally “where, where,” this is a very common, slightly more informal way to say “You flatter me.” It's a versatile alternative to 不敢当.
• 过奖了 (guòjiǎng le) - “You have over-praised me.” Another direct synonym that is extremely common in daily conversation and is slightly less formal than 不敢当.
• 谦虚 (qiānxū) - The core virtue of modesty and humility that underlies the use of phrases like 不敢当.
• 客气 (kèqi) - The broader concept of being polite, courteous, or “ceremonious.” Using 不敢当 is a way of being 客气.
• 抬举 (táiju) - (v.) To flatter or praise someone, often to elevate their status. You can respond to praise by saying “您太抬举我了” (Nín tài táiju wǒ le - You praise me too highly).
• 受宠若惊 (shòu chǒng ruò jīng) - A chengyu (idiom) meaning “to feel overwhelmed by an unexpected favor or honor.” It's more intense and emotional than 不敢当.
• 献丑了 (xiànchǒu le) - “I'm about to present my ugliness (i.e., lack of skill).” A humble phrase said *before* a performance or presenting one's work, like singing karaoke or showing a painting.