it's the thought that counts

English

Proverb

it's the thought that counts

1. When giving someone a present or doing a favour for someone, the kindness behind the act is more important than any other consideration.

   I know the gift he gave you for your wedding is not worth much, but I hope you'll understand it's the thought that counts.

Translations

when giving someone a present or doing a favour for someone, the kindness is more important than any other consideration

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 禮輕情意重／礼轻情意重 (zh) (lǐ qīng qíngyì zhòng), 礼轻情意重 (zh) (lǐ qīng qíngyì zhòng), 有這份心思才是最重要的／有这份心思才是最重要的, 有这份心思才是最重要的 (yǒu zhè fèn xīnsī cái shì zuì zhòngyào de), 心意到了就行了 (xīnyì dào le jiù xíng le)

• Finnish: ajatus on tärkein
• French: c’est l’intention qui compte
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Portuguese: o que conta é a intenção
• Russian: please add this translation if you can
• Spanish: la intención es lo que cuenta
• Maori: mā hea mai i/ki tēnā
• Norwegian: det er tanken som teller