Saying “thank you” in Japanese is an art that reflects the deep value the culture places on gratitude and respect. While there are several phrases that mean “thank you,” choosing the correct one depends entirely on your relationship with the person and the context of the situation.
This guide will break down the essential ways to express appreciation, from the most formal and versatile phrase to casual abbreviations and unique ways to show gratitude for food and service.
The Politeness Spectrum: From Formal to Casual
In Japanese, the length of the phrase often determines its formality. All of the phrases below share the core meaning of “Thank You,” but are suitable for different relationships and contexts.
The following forms all mean “Thank You,” arranged from most formal to most casual:
The Longest and Most Polite Form
- どうも ありがとう ございます (Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu)
This is the longest and, therefore, the most polite expression of gratitude. It is reserved for situations requiring the highest level of respect, such as thanking a superior or client.
You could also use the first part どうも (dōmo) by itself in a formal setting. Although we just stated that the longer a sentence is, in Japanese, the more formal it will be, it actually depends on the context. If you’re in a formal meeting and the technician gives you a mic, or if a waiter brings you to your seat, the time sensitive context makes it more appropriate to be concise.
The Safest Standard Version
- ありがとうございます (Arigatō gozaimasu)
This is the most common polite expression. It is the safe, standard way to show your appreciation in almost any social or business setting.
Click here to hear how to pronounce ありがとうございます.
Casual and Abbreviated Thanks
When speaking to close friends, family, or people you are very familiar with, you can use the base word:
- ありがとう (Arigatō)
Sometimes, you’ll hear Japanese people say the full expression so fast that it’s sound like あざす (Azasu). While it’s good to know when you hear it, it’s not recommended to use as a foreign learner. It’s considered slang from younger generation who want to sound cool while doing the minimum to not be considered rude. You’ll be more respect full and impressive by being articulated.
Expressing Extreme Gratitude
When you receive a very generous gift, a major service, or you want to show deep, heartfelt thanks, you should use an intensifying phrase.
I’m Truly Grateful
For situations like making a formal speech or writing a letter of deep gratitude, you can use:
- 感謝します (Kansha shimasu)
This phrase translates to “I am grateful.” It carries the weight of a formal expression of deep appreciation.
Formal Sincerity
- 誠にありがとうございます (Makoto ni arigatō gozaimasu)
This is the highest level of sincere gratitude, often used in formal business settings or major acknowledgments. You’ll also hear it in the automatic announcements in shopping mall stores or in public transportations.
Less Formal Intensity
For a less formal but still very polite way to intensify your thanks, use:
- 本当にありがとうございます (Hontō ni arigatō gozaimasu)
This is closer to the English expression “Thank you so much.”
Both 誠に (makoto ni) and 本当に (hontō ni) function as adverbs meaning “really” or “truly” to amplify the existing gratitude in ありがとうございます.
The Difference Between Present and Past Tense
It is common for tourists to hear ありがとうございました (Arigatō gozaimashita) when leaving a restaurant, understand it as “thank you,” and then repeat it in other contexts. However, this is simply the past tense of ありがとうございます (Arigatō gozaimasu).
When to Use Past Tense
Using the past tense makes perfect sense when leaving a restaurant because the staff is thanking you for choosing the restaurant and for the meal you already ate; the action is complete and in the past. Pay attention, the next time you hear: どうも ありがとう ございました (Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita).
When to Use Present Tense
When you receive a gift, the act of receiving is happening in the present. Therefore, you should use the phrase in the present tense: ありがとうございます (Arigatō gozaimasu).
Note: In a casual setting, you don’t need to worry about this grammatical distinction, as you’ll simply say the base word ありがとう (Arigatō) either way.
Saying Thank You with an Apology
One of the most natural and confusing ways to say “thank you” in Japanese is by using a word that means “I’m sorry” or “Excuse me.”
- すみません (Sumimasen)
This word is used to express gratitude when an act of service is supposedly causing the other person some trouble or inconvenience.
Example: If a waiter is pouring water for you, you can say すみません (Sumimasen). You are essentially saying, “Thank you for the service, and sorry for the trouble.” Use this for small, on-the-spot acts of service.
Click here to hear how to pronounce すみません.
Showing Gratitude for Food
There are two dedicated phrases used specifically for meals, showing respect to the food itself and the person who provided it.
Before Eating
- いただきます (Itadakimasu)
This phrase translates to “I humbly accept/receive.”
Click here to hear how to pronounce いただきます.
After Eating
- ごちそうさまでした (Gochisōsama deshita)
This phrase literally means “it was a feast/treat.” By saying it, you are thanking the cook or host for the meal.
Click here to hear how to pronounce ごちそうさまでした.
Regional and Borrowed Phrases
Japanese linguistic diversity also provides some fun variations of “thank you.”
Thanks in Kansai-ben
If you visit the Kansai area (which includes Osaka and Kyoto), you might encounter locals saying:
- おおきに (Ōkini)
Borrowed English Phrase
In very casual and youthful contexts, you might hear a phrase borrowed directly from English:
- サンキュー (Sankyū)
When using this, make sure to adjust your accent to the Japanese phonetics to sound natural.
Click here to hear how to pronounce “thank you” with a Japanese accent.
Final Thoughts: Mastering the Nuance
Choosing the right “thank you” in Japanese demonstrates cultural intelligence. Always default to ありがとうございます (Arigatō Gozaimasu) for safety. When receiving a formal gift or showing sincere appreciation for a meal, use the appropriate, dedicated phrase. Remember, in Japanese, gratitude is as much about acknowledging the effort of the giver as it is about expressing your appreciation.
Ready for the next lesson?
Let’s study how to say “you’re welcome” in Japanese!