How to say it · Kind words

Accepting a compliment

Someone says something nice about your cooking, your English or your work. Saying "no, no, I'm not good" can sound like you're telling them they're wrong.

6 ways to say it

In a pottery class, a young woman praises an older man's bowl and hands him a flower; he smiles, hand on heart.

How warmLightHeartfelt

Oh, thank youbest default Thanks, I'm glad you like itfor things you made Thanks, I had a lot of helpsharing credit That's really kind of youpolite and warm Aw, you're too kindplayful modesty That means a lotreally touched

Way 1 · best default

Oh, thank you

Simple and warm. In English, a smile and a thank you is the polite way to take praise.

How warmVery light

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

Oh, thank you! I only got my hair cut yesterday.

Oh, thank you, that's nice to hear on a Monday.

In a conversation

A: Your English is really good, you know.
B: Oh, thank you! I've been practising a lot.

Common mistake

Not: ~~No, no,~~ I'm ~~not good. My English is very bad.~~

Say: Oh, thank you! I'm still working on it.

Saying no can sound like you think they're wrong or not listening. Say thanks first, then add a modest bit if you like.

Practice saying this

Next: Thanks, I'm glad you like it

Way 2 · for things you made

Thanks, I'm glad you like it

For something you cooked or made yourself. It keeps the focus on their enjoyment.

How warmLight

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

Thanks, I'm glad you like it. It's my grandma's recipe.

Thanks, I'm glad you like it. I made it at a pottery class.

In a conversation

A: This soup is amazing.
B: Thanks, I'm glad you like it. There's more in the pot.

Practice saying this

Next: Thanks, I had a lot of help

Way 3 · sharing credit

Thanks, I had a lot of help

Accepts the praise and shares it with the team. Modest without saying no.

How warmMiddle

ToneNeutral

Use itAt work

Examples

Thanks, I had a lot of help from Jo and Sam on this one.

Thanks, I had a lot of help. It was a real team effort.

Practice saying this

Next: That's really kind of you

Way 4 · polite and warm

That's really kind of you

Thanks them for being kind, not just for the words. Good with people you don't know well.

How warmMiddle

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

That's really kind of you to say, thank you.

Oh, that's really kind of you. I was so nervous before the talk.

Common mistake

Not: ~~You're welcome.~~

Say: That's really kind of you, thank you.

"You're welcome" is the reply to thank you, not to a compliment. Here you're the one saying thanks.

Practice saying this

Next: Aw, you're too kind

Way 5 · playful modesty

Aw, you're too kind

Warm and a little shy. You take the praise with a smile while sounding modest.

How warmHeartfelt

ToneCasual

Use itWith friends

Examples

Aw, you're too kind. It was only a little cake.

Aw, you're too kind. I just threw it together.

In a conversation

A: You look amazing tonight.
B: Aw, you're too kind. So do you!

Common mistake

Not: ~~Oh no, it's terrible, I look awful, my hair is a disaster.~~

Say: Aw, you're too kind.

Lots of denial makes the other person keep insisting, which gets awkward. One modest line is plenty.

Practice saying this

Next: That means a lot

Way 6 · really touched

That means a lot

For praise that really touches you, often from someone whose opinion matters to you.

How warmVery heartfelt

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

Coming from you, that means a lot.

Thank you, that means a lot. I worked really hard on it.

In a conversation

A: Honestly, you're the best teacher I've ever had.
B: Oh, wow. That means a lot, thank you.

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which would you say?

Pick the right one

Which would you say?

Read the moment, then choose the way that fits it best.

Now say it out loud

Pick one and practise it in a real conversation. Save the ones you want to remember.

Oh, thank you Thanks, I'm glad you like it Thanks, I had a lot of help That's really kind of you

Which would you say?

Now say it out loud

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