Compliments, modest remarks, and polite expressions are all forms of respect. We have these in every culture; complimenting the other party or praising them for something they have accomplished, belittling oneself as a form of modesty, as well as terms of respect that express politeness. These are all important parts of an elegant conversation.

Honoring the other party in a conversation consists of "modest speech," or expressions to show respect and politeness. Using these effectively exhibits that the speaker is charming and polite. Therefore, it is necessary to learn how to use some honorific terms in interpersonal communication.

These terms and phrases are often used in the following situations:

1. Greetings:

   • When you greet a teacher, elder or senior, you should say "您好 (nín hǎo) Hello."
   • When you ask someone's last name, you can say "贵姓 (guìxìng) honorable surname (a formal expression to ask one’s family name)" or you can put these together and say "您好，请问您贵姓？ (nǐn hǎo, qǐnwèn nǐn guìxìng?) Hello, may I ask your family name?"
   • When you meet someone you have admired or heard good things about for a long time, you can say "久仰 (jiǔyǎng) I have been admiring you for a long time."
   • When meeting someone for the first time, you can say："幸会 (xìnghuì) Nice to meet you. / I’m very pleased to see you."

These words convey three things: how much you respect them, how kind you are, and it also expresses that you are expecting a friendship with them. At the same time, it also shows how cultured you are, that you have manners, and you are very polite.

2. Expressing Thanks and Responding to Thanks and Praises Given:

   • After others offer help, give support, show care and respect, or praise you, the simplest and most effective response is to say "谢谢 (xièxie) thanks!"
   • How you can respond when someone says "谢谢 (xièxie)!":
   " 不用谢 (bú yòng xiè) You’re so welcome!’’ and "不客气 (bú kèqì) My pleasure! /Don’t mention it! / I’m glad to help!" as a polite response.
(How Do We Use the Chinese Phrase "不客气 (bú kèqì)?")
   • How you can respond when someone praises you:
   • You can say "过奖了 (guòjiǎng le), I don't deserve it! / You flatter me!"

3. When Asking for Help:

   • When you ask someone for advice, you might say "向您请教（xiàng nǐn qǐngjiào) consult with you."
   • When you ask someone for help, you could say "拜托 (bàituō) Could you please do something?"
   • When you ask someone who is busy with something, you might say "打扰 (dǎrǎo) Excuse me."

4. Excusing Oneself And Making an Apology:

   • When you can't meet others’ demands, you can say "抱歉 (bàoqiàn) sorry" or"不好意思 (búhǎoyìsī) sorry."
   • When you ask people to tolerate little mistakes we’ve made, we may say "包涵 (bāohán) Please forgive…"
   • When we have to leave halfway through a meeting or party, we can say "失陪(shīpéi) Please excuse me for a minute. / Could you please excuse me for a minute? / Would you please excuse me for a bit?"
   • When asking others for understanding, you may say "见谅 (jiànliàng) Excuse me. / Forgive me."

Sidenote:

Some of these phrases, such as "贵姓 (guìxìng)" "久仰 (jiǔyǎng)" "幸会 (xìnghuì)" "抱歉 (bàoqiàn)" "包涵 (bāohán)" "失陪 (shīpéi)" "见谅 (jiànliàng) " are not commonly spoken in daily conversations these days because they are a bit more formal. They are more often used in business situations or while attending important meetings, or you might hear them used in Chinese TV dramas.