Friends & datingAdvanced
Replying to “Bless you” in English (advanced)
Advanced English for replying to “Bless you”. Key line: “Perfect. Next time I'll just say "Thanks" and move on—no speech.”
Full script
Lin
Oh—thanks! Do people usually just say thanks, or is there a better reply?
Them
Honestly, thanks is plenty; anything more starts sounding like your sneeze won an award.
Lin
Got it. So just thanks—not "I appreciate your concern for my soul"?
Them
Yeah, unless you're being dramatic. Keep it light, and you're fine.
Lin
What if I sneeze twice? Do I say thanks twice, like I'm collecting stamps?
Them
No, one thanks covers the whole sneeze series. We're not keeping score.
Lin
Perfect. Next time I'll just say "Thanks" and move on—no speech.
Them
Exactly. One blessing, one reply—this isn't awards season, even with an encore.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
Enough
✓ Thanks is plenty.Just say thanks
plenty = enough
Casual
✓ Keep it light.Be casual
Not too formal
Continue
✓ move onkeep going
Not move away
Don't fuss
✓ We're not keeping score.don't be so exact
don't fuss
Quick answers
Enough: what to say in English
Say “Thanks is plenty.” — just say thanks. plenty = enough.
Casual: what to say in English
Say “Keep it light.” — be casual. Not too formal.
Continue: what to say in English
Say “move on” — keep going. Not move away.
Don't fuss: what to say in English
Say “We're not keeping score.” — don't be so exact. don't fuss.