Thanksgiving vocabulary in Chinese is mostly about three things: food, family, and saying thank you without sounding like a robot from a textbook. That is excellent news, because those are exactly the kinds of words you can start using right away.

In this guide, every word comes with simplified Chinese, pinyin, English meaning, and a real example sentence. So yes, you can learn how to say 火鸡 huǒjī, but also how to say things like “I’m full,” “Thanks for inviting me,” and “Please pass the gravy.” Useful beats fancy every time.

Visual Cards: The Core Thanksgiving Words

Useful Phrases For The Dinner Table

祝你感恩节快乐 zhù nǐ gǎn’ēn jié kuàilè — Happy Thanksgiving.
Sentence: 祝你和家人感恩节快乐。
Zhù nǐ hé jiārén gǎn’ēn jié kuàilè.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

谢谢你邀请我 xièxie nǐ yāoqǐng wǒ — Thanks for inviting me.
Sentence: 谢谢你邀请我来过感恩节。
Xièxie nǐ yāoqǐng wǒ lái guò gǎn’ēn jié.
Thanks for inviting me to celebrate Thanksgiving.

你辛苦了 nǐ xīnkǔ le — You worked hard.
Sentence: 你做了这么多菜，真的辛苦了。
Nǐ zuò le zhème duō cài, zhēnde xīnkǔ le.
You made so many dishes. You really worked hard.

我来帮你 wǒ lái bāng nǐ — I’ll help you.
Sentence: 我来帮你摆桌子。
Wǒ lái bāng nǐ bǎi zhuōzi.
I’ll help you set the table.

这个真好吃 zhège zhēn hǎochī — This is really delicious.
Sentence: 这个南瓜派真好吃。
Zhège nánguā pài zhēn hǎochī.
This pumpkin pie is really delicious.

你再来一点吧 nǐ zài lái yìdiǎn ba — Have a little more.
Sentence: 你再来一点土豆泥吧。
Nǐ zài lái yìdiǎn tǔdòuní ba.
Have a little more mashed potatoes.

请把肉汁递给我 qǐng bǎ ròuzhī dì gěi wǒ — Please pass me the gravy.
Sentence: 请把肉汁递给我，谢谢。
Qǐng bǎ ròuzhī dì gěi wǒ, xièxie.
Please pass me the gravy, thanks.

我吃饱了 wǒ chībǎo le — I’m full.
Sentence: 谢谢，我吃饱了。
Xièxie, wǒ chībǎo le.
Thanks, I’m full.

我很感激 wǒ hěn gǎnjī — I’m very grateful.
Sentence: 我很感激你们的陪伴。
Wǒ hěn gǎnjī nǐmen de péibàn.
I’m very grateful for your company.

大家一起拍照吧 dàjiā yìqǐ pāizhào ba — Let’s take a photo together.
Sentence: 吃饭前，大家一起拍照吧。
Chīfàn qián, dàjiā yìqǐ pāizhào ba.
Let’s take a photo together before eating.

我们开始吃吧 wǒmen kāishǐ chī ba — Let’s start eating.
Sentence: 菜都准备好了，我们开始吃吧。
Cài dōu zhǔnbèi hǎo le, wǒmen kāishǐ chī ba.
The food is ready, let’s start eating.

感谢你做的晚餐 gǎnxiè nǐ zuò de wǎncān — Thank you for making dinner.
Sentence: 真的感谢你做的晚餐。
Zhēnde gǎnxiè nǐ zuò de wǎncān.
Thank you so much for making dinner.

Holiday Basics

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example In Chinese	Example In Pinyin	Translation
感恩节	gǎn’ēn jié	Thanksgiving	我们在感恩节一起吃晚餐。	Wǒmen zài gǎn’ēn jié yìqǐ chī wǎncān.	We eat dinner together on Thanksgiving.
节日	jiérì	holiday	这是一个温暖的节日。	Zhè shì yí gè wēnnuǎn de jiérì.	This is a warm holiday.
传统	chuántǒng	tradition	和家人吃饭是我们的传统。	Hé jiārén chīfàn shì wǒmen de chuántǒng.	Eating with family is our tradition.
秋天	qiūtiān	autumn	感恩节在秋天。	Gǎn’ēn jié zài qiūtiān.	Thanksgiving is in autumn.
收获	shōuhuò	harvest	农民庆祝今年的收获。	Nóngmín qìngzhù jīnnián de shōuhuò.	Farmers celebrate this year’s harvest.
家人	jiārén	family	今天晚上所有家人都来了。	Jīntiān wǎnshang suǒyǒu jiārén dōu lái le.	All the family came tonight.
团聚	tuánjù	reunion	节日让大家团聚。	Jiérì ràng dàjiā tuánjù.	The holiday brings everyone together.
客人	kèrén	guest	我们家今天有很多客人。	Wǒmen jiā jīntiān yǒu hěn duō kèrén.	We have many guests at home today.
邀请	yāoqǐng	to invite; invitation	我想邀请邻居来吃饭。	Wǒ xiǎng yāoqǐng línjū lái chīfàn.	I want to invite the neighbors to come eat.
聚会	jùhuì	gathering, party	他们正在准备感恩节聚会。	Tāmen zhèngzài zhǔnbèi gǎn’ēn jié jùhuì.	They are preparing a Thanksgiving gathering.
晚餐	wǎncān	dinner	晚餐六点开始。	Wǎncān liù diǎn kāishǐ.	Dinner starts at six.
祝福	zhùfú	blessing, good wishes	她给大家送上祝福。	Tā gěi dàjiā sòngshàng zhùfú.	She gives everyone her good wishes.
感谢	gǎnxiè	thanks, appreciation	我想对你说一声感谢。	Wǒ xiǎng duì nǐ shuō yì shēng gǎnxiè.	I want to say thank you to you.
照片	zhàopiàn	photo	我们先拍一张家庭照片。	Wǒmen xiān pāi yì zhāng jiātíng zhàopiàn.	Let’s take a family photo first.

Food And Kitchen Words

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example In Chinese	Example In Pinyin	Translation
火鸡	huǒjī	turkey	桌子中间有一只大火鸡。	Zhuōzi zhōngjiān yǒu yì zhī dà huǒjī.	There is a big turkey in the middle of the table.
烤火鸡	kǎo huǒjī	roast turkey	爸爸在厨房做烤火鸡。	Bàba zài chúfáng zuò kǎo huǒjī.	Dad is making roast turkey in the kitchen.
南瓜	nánguā	pumpkin	她买了一个大南瓜。	Tā mǎi le yí gè dà nánguā.	She bought a big pumpkin.
南瓜派	nánguā pài	pumpkin pie	我最喜欢南瓜派。	Wǒ zuì xǐhuan nánguā pài.	Pumpkin pie is my favorite.
苹果派	píngguǒ pài	apple pie	奶奶做的苹果派很香。	Nǎinai zuò de píngguǒ pài hěn xiāng.	Grandma’s apple pie smells wonderful.
甜点	tiándiǎn	dessert	晚饭后我们吃甜点。	Wǎnfàn hòu wǒmen chī tiándiǎn.	We eat dessert after dinner.
馅料	xiànliào	stuffing, filling	火鸡里面有很多馅料。	Huǒjī lǐmiàn yǒu hěn duō xiànliào.	There is a lot of stuffing inside the turkey.
土豆泥	tǔdòuní	mashed potatoes	这盘土豆泥很好吃。	Zhè pán tǔdòuní hěn hǎochī.	This plate of mashed potatoes is delicious.
肉汁	ròuzhī	gravy	请给我一点肉汁。	Qǐng gěi wǒ yìdiǎn ròuzhī.	Please give me a little gravy.
蔓越莓酱	mànyuèméi jiàng	cranberry sauce	蔓越莓酱有一点甜，也有一点酸。	Mànyuèméi jiàng yǒu yìdiǎn tián, yě yǒu yìdiǎn suān.	Cranberry sauce is a little sweet and a little sour.
面包卷	miànbāojuǎn	dinner roll	他拿了两个面包卷。	Tā ná le liǎng gè miànbāojuǎn.	He took two dinner rolls.
玉米	yùmǐ	corn	孩子们喜欢吃玉米。	Háizimen xǐhuan chī yùmǐ.	The kids like eating corn.
四季豆	sìjìdòu	green beans	四季豆是常见的配菜。	Sìjìdòu shì chángjiàn de pèicài.	Green beans are a common side dish.
红薯	hóngshǔ	sweet potato	烤红薯很甜。	Kǎo hóngshǔ hěn tián.	Roasted sweet potatoes are very sweet.
烤箱	kǎoxiāng	oven	烤箱里还有一个派。	Kǎoxiāng lǐ hái yǒu yí gè pài.	There is still a pie in the oven.
菜谱	càipǔ	recipe	我照着菜谱做晚餐。	Wǒ zhàozhe càipǔ zuò wǎncān.	I am making dinner by following the recipe.

Table Talk And Holiday Activities

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example In Chinese	Example In Pinyin	Translation
切火鸡	qiē huǒjī	to carve the turkey	爷爷来切火鸡。	Yéye lái qiē huǒjī.	Grandpa will carve the turkey.
开饭	kāifàn	meal time, let’s eat	大家快来，开饭了。	Dàjiā kuài lái, kāifàn le.	Everyone come quickly, it’s time to eat.
请慢用	qǐng mànyòng	please enjoy your meal	菜都上齐了，请慢用。	Cài dōu shàng qí le, qǐng mànyòng.	The dishes are all served. Please enjoy your meal.
真好吃	zhēn hǎochī	really delicious	这个南瓜派真好吃。	Zhège nánguā pài zhēn hǎochī.	This pumpkin pie is really delicious.
再来一点	zài lái yìdiǎn	have a little more	你再来一点土豆泥吧。	Nǐ zài lái yìdiǎn tǔdòuní ba.	Have a little more mashed potatoes.
我吃饱了	wǒ chībǎo le	I’m full	谢谢，我吃饱了。	Xièxie, wǒ chībǎo le.	Thanks, I’m full.
帮忙摆桌子	bāngmáng bǎi zhuōzi	help set the table	请你帮忙摆桌子。	Qǐng nǐ bāngmáng bǎi zhuōzi.	Please help set the table.
干杯	gānbēi	cheers	我们一起干杯吧。	Wǒmen yìqǐ gānbēi ba.	Let’s make a toast together.
聊天	liáotiān	to chat	饭后大家坐在一起聊天。	Fànhòu dàjiā zuò zài yìqǐ liáotiān.	After the meal, everyone sits together and chats.
休息	xiūxi	to rest	吃完饭以后，我们先休息一下。	Chī wán fàn yǐhòu, wǒmen xiān xiūxi yíxià.	After eating, we will rest for a bit first.
看比赛	kàn bǐsài	to watch a game	叔叔想边吃边看比赛。	Shūshu xiǎng biān chī biān kàn bǐsài.	Uncle wants to watch the game while eating.
看电影	kàn diànyǐng	to watch a movie	晚上我们全家一起看电影。	Wǎnshang wǒmen quánjiā yìqǐ kàn diànyǐng.	At night our whole family watches a movie together.

Gratitude Words And Greetings

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example In Chinese	Example In Pinyin	Translation
感恩	gǎn’ēn	gratitude; to feel thankful	我们今天一起感恩。	Wǒmen jīntiān yìqǐ gǎn’ēn.	Today we give thanks together.
感激	gǎnjī	to feel grateful	我真的很感激你的帮助。	Wǒ zhēnde hěn gǎnjī nǐ de bāngzhù.	I am truly grateful for your help.
幸运	xìngyùn	lucky, fortunate	有家人陪着，我觉得很幸运。	Yǒu jiārén péizhe, wǒ juéde hěn xìngyùn.	I feel very lucky to have family with me.
健康	jiànkāng	health	今年我们最感谢健康。	Jīnnián wǒmen zuì gǎnxiè jiànkāng.	This year we are most thankful for health.
平安	píng’ān	peace, safety	我希望你和家人都平安。	Wǒ xīwàng nǐ hé jiārén dōu píng’ān.	I hope you and your family are safe and well.
快乐	kuàilè	happy, joyful	祝大家节日快乐。	Zhù dàjiā jiérì kuàilè.	Wishing everyone a happy holiday.
支持	zhīchí	support	谢谢你的支持。	Xièxie nǐ de zhīchí.	Thank you for your support.
陪伴	péibàn	company, companionship	家人的陪伴最重要。	Jiārén de péibàn zuì zhòngyào.	The company of family is the most important.
分享	fēnxiǎng	to share	感恩节是分享食物的日子。	Gǎn’ēn jié shì fēnxiǎng shíwù de rìzi.	Thanksgiving is a day for sharing food.
希望	xīwàng	hope	我们对明年有很多希望。	Wǒmen duì míngnián yǒu hěn duō xīwàng.	We have a lot of hope for next year.
珍惜	zhēnxī	to cherish	我们要珍惜在一起的时间。	Wǒmen yào zhēnxī zài yìqǐ de shíjiān.	We should cherish the time we have together.
祝你感恩节快乐	zhù nǐ gǎn’ēn jié kuàilè	Happy Thanksgiving	祝你感恩节快乐！	Zhù nǐ gǎn’ēn jié kuàilè!	Happy Thanksgiving!

Common Mix-Ups

感谢 gǎnxiè and 感恩 gǎn’ēn are close, but not identical. 感谢 gǎnxiè is everyday thanks and appreciation. 感恩 gǎn’ēn feels deeper and more reflective, which makes it perfect for Thanksgiving.

团聚 tuánjù and 聚会 jùhuì also differ a bit. 团聚 tuánjù is about loved ones coming back together. 聚会 jùhuì is a gathering or get-together. Thanksgiving often has both, because one holiday apparently needs both emotion and snacks.

火鸡 huǒjī is the turkey itself, while 烤火鸡 kǎo huǒjī is roast turkey. One is the bird. The other is the reason everyone is standing in the kitchen pretending to help.

FAQ

How Do You Say Thanksgiving In Chinese?

The standard way is 感恩节 gǎn’ēn jié. It literally carries the idea of a gratitude holiday, which fits nicely.

How Do You Say Happy Thanksgiving In Chinese?

You can say 祝你感恩节快乐 zhù nǐ gǎn’ēn jié kuàilè. It means “Happy Thanksgiving.” It is simple, natural, and easy to remember.

What Is The Difference Between 感谢 gǎnxiè And 感恩 gǎn’ēn?

感谢 gǎnxiè is everyday thanks or appreciation. 感恩 gǎn’ēn feels deeper and more reflective. For a holiday speech, 感恩 gǎn’ēn sounds more heartfelt. For thanking someone for dinner, 感谢 gǎnxiè is usually the easier choice.

Which Thanksgiving Words Should Beginners Learn First?

Start with 感恩节 gǎn’ēn jié, 火鸡 huǒjī, 南瓜派 nánguā pài, 谢谢 xièxie, 感谢 gǎnxiè, 开饭 kāifàn, and 我吃饱了 wǒ chībǎo le. That already covers greetings, food, and dinner-table survival.

Now you have Thanksgiving vocabulary in Chinese for the kitchen, the dinner table, and the grateful little speeches people suddenly expect during dessert. Start with ten words, say them out loud, and use them with real people. That is how this stuff actually sticks.