“Aw, you're just saying that!”

You don't usually cook dinner, but tonight you did. Your wife says that the food is really good. You're happy that she said so, but you don't really believe her. You think she's just trying to be nice to you. You say:

Aw, you're just saying that!

Aw

This is a sound that English speakers make in a few different situations:

• When something disappointing happens:

  Aw, my strap broke!

• When you see something cute:

  Aw, look at the baby holding her stuffed bunny!

• When someone does something sweet for you:

  Aw, thank you! You shouldn't have! (When someone gives you a gift.)

The example above is probably closest to #3. When people pay you a compliment, you can start your response by saying "Aw".

You're just saying that.

This means "You don't really think that; you're only trying to be nice to me." Say this when someone compliments you, but you don't believe them or want to seem humble.

A longer version of "You're just saying that" is:

You're just saying that to be nice.

You can also use this phrase in negative form and in questions:

A: You look great!

B: Really? You're not just saying that?