How To Say ‘Thank You’ in Japanese: 23 Choices for Most Politeness


Realizing only one method to say “thanks” in Japanese isn’t sufficient for each scenario. Manners are extremely valued in Japanese tradition, and a part of having good manners is ensuring to specific your gratitude. 

Some methods to say “thanks” are extra formal than others. Even among the many some ways to specific gratitude in Japanese, every expression can have a number of variations on account of verb conjugations or ranges of ritual. On this information, uncover how and when to make use of a spread of expressions that can make you the very picture of a well-mannered particular person in Japan. 

Methods to say ‘thanks’ in Japanese with nuance

Whereas Japanese has one frequent expression that interprets to “thanks,” you’ll discover a number of others which might be extra particular (even when we’d translate them as a easy “thanks” in English). Use this chart of the way to say “thanks” in Japanese to search out the precise nuance you wish to categorical.

JapaneseRomanizationEnglish
ありがとうarigatōThanks.
どうもdōmoThanks. (informal)
どうもありがとうdōmo arigatōThanks lots.
ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasuThanks (for one thing that’s presently taking place). (well mannered)
ありがとうございましたarigatō gozaimashitaThanks (for one thing that has already occurred). (well mannered)
どうもありがとうございますdōmo arigatō gozaimasuThanks very a lot (for one thing that’s presently taking place). (well mannered)
どうもありがとうございましたdōmo arigatō gozaimashitaThanks very a lot (for one thing that has already occurred). (well mannered)
感謝しますkansha shimasuI’m grateful.
心から感謝しますkokoro kara kansha shimasuI’m actually grateful.
助かるtasukaruThanks, I respect it. (informal)
助かりますtasukarimasuThanks, I respect it. (well mannered)
お世話になりますosewa ni narimasuThanks for taking good care of me.
よろしくyoroshikuThanks prematurely. (informal)
よろしくお願いしますyoroshiku onegai shimasuThanks prematurely. (well mannered)
お疲れotsukare Thanks to your exhausting work. (informal)
お疲れ様ですotsukare sama desuThanks to your exhausting work. (well mannered)
お待たせしましたomatase shimashitaThanks for ready.
手伝ってくれてありがとうtetsudatte kurete arigatōThanks for serving to.
~てくれてありがとう~te kurete arigatōThanks for [verb].
~てくださってありがとうございます~te kudasatte arigatō gozaimasuThanks very a lot for [verb].
おおきにōkiniThanks. (regional dialect)
サンキューsankyūThanks. (slang)
結構ですkekkō desuNo, thanks.

Current tense vs. previous tense methods to say ‘thanks’

Like Japanese greetings, many Japanese expressions for “thanks” have one thing in frequent: They use Japanese verb conjugations. That is partially to distinguish between informal and well mannered kinds, however it could additionally subtly point out what cut-off date you might be referring to when exhibiting your gratitude. In the end, the that means and situational utilization of the expression is similar.

For instance, arigatō gozaimasu ends within the affirmative non-past verb conjugation, so the motion the speaker is thanking the listener for both occurred within the very latest previous, is occurring within the present second, or will occur sooner or later.

  • Ikura desu ka.(いくらですか。)= How a lot does it value?

    • Nijūgo doru desu.(二十五ドルです。)= It prices twenty-five {dollars}.
    • Arigatō gozaimasu.(ありがとうございます。)= Thanks.

Likewise, if you happen to use the affirmative previous verb conjugation of tasukaru (which accurately means “to avoid wasting”), you possibly can categorical your gratitude to somebody who did you an enormous favor the day earlier than.

  • Taihen tasukarimashita!(大変助かりました!)= You had been an enormous assist, thanks!

As a result of so many of those expressions use verb conjugations, they have an inclination to go on the finish of a sentence in Japanese phrase order, as verbs sometimes do.

When to make use of the completely different types of ‘thanks’

With so some ways to say “thanks,” how do you decide the appropriate one? These overviews of every expression will provide you with the information it is advisable to select the suitable expression for the social scenario.

Arigatō gozaimasu (thanks) 

Essentially the most helpful and common Japanese method to say “thanks” is arigatō gozaimasu, and it’s in all probability one of many first phrases you’ll come throughout once you be taught Japanese. Arigatō is the informal model, whereas including gozaimasu makes it extra well mannered or formal. 

You should use this expression in practically any scenario the place you wish to thank someone, corresponding to once you ask somebody for the time:

  • Sumimasen. Ima nanji desu ka.(すみません。今何時ですか。)= Excuse me. What time is it?

    • Goji jūgofun desu.(五時十五分です。)= It’s 5 fifteen.
    • Arigatō gozaimasu.(ありがとうございます。)= Thanks.

The one tough factor to recollect about arigatō is what number of barely other ways you possibly can say it. Have you ever ever heard the ‘80s tune Mr. Roboto by Styx? It opens with an identical method to say “thanks”: dōmo arigatō. Dōmo is a Japanese adverb that acts as an amplifier like “fairly” or “actually.” Nonetheless, it will also be used alone as an abbreviated model of dōmo arigatō!

You’ll be able to even add gozaimasu to the top. The distinction between these variations of arigatō is slight, however all categorical the identical stage and kind of gratitude. In descending order of politeness (from well mannered to informal), they might appear to be this:

  • dōmo arigatō gozaimasu = Thanks very a lot
  • arigatō gozaimasu = Thanks
  • dōmo arigatō = Thanks lots
  • arigatō = Thanks
  • dōmo = Thanks

Kansha shimasu (I’m grateful) 

Typically, a easy “thanks” simply isn’t sufficient. For these conditions, you should use the extra heartfelt kansha shimasu, which implies “I’m grateful” or “I respect it.” In comparison with the usual arigatō, kansha shimasu (or its extra informal kansha suru) is a honest method to thank somebody.

  • Kokoro kara kansha shimasu.(心から感謝します。)= I’m actually grateful. (Actually: I’m grateful from the center.)
    • Kokoro kara kansha suru.(心から感謝する。)= I’m actually grateful. (Actually: I’m grateful from the center.)

Tasukarimasu (thanks, I respect it) 

Have you ever ever felt saved as a result of somebody provided to assist? That’s the proper time to make use of tasukarimasu to say “thanks.” Utilizing this expression—or its informal kind, tasukaru—is well-suited for conditions the place you had been beneath some form of stress and the actions of one other particular person alleviated that stress. You’ll be able to even mix it with arigatō to specific your gratitude twice.

  • Tsukareteru mitai ne. Mizu o motte kuru.(疲れてるみたいね。水を持ってくる。)= You look drained. I’ll get you some water.
    • Tasukaru, arigatō!(助かる、ありがとう!)= I’d respect that, thanks!

Osewa ni narimasu (thanks for taking good care of me) 

A considerably distinctive Japanese expression, osewa ni narimasu is a method to thank somebody for the particular care they’ve given you. In a enterprise context, it’s typically utilized in emails or cellphone calls to convey gratitude for the continuation of the enterprise relationship. Consider it as an identical expression to “It’s a pleasure doing enterprise with you.” 

Exterior of the office, osewa ni narimasu is usually reserved for thanking somebody for housing you or somebody you usually deal with (like a baby). For instance, if you happen to ever stick with a Japanese host household (omiyage in hand), you possibly can say:

  • Isshukan, hōmusutei de osewa ni narimasu.(一週間、ホームステイでお世話になります。)= Thanks for taking good care of me this week for my homestay.

Yoroshiku onegai shimasu (thanks prematurely) 

Yoroshiku onegai shimasu is likely one of the most important Japanese phrases to have readily available for each informal and formal conditions. It may imply a number of issues relying on the scenario, together with:

  • Thanks prematurely.
  • Thanks to your cooperation.
  • Good to satisfy you.
  • Finest regards.
  • I’m wanting ahead to working with/attending to know you.
  • Please accomplish that.
  • I’m relying on you.

Think about a scenario the place you’re working with different individuals, both on a faculty venture or one thing at work. In case you assign a process to one in all your group members, you’ll say yoroshiku onegai shimasu (or simply yoroshiku if you happen to’re being informal). The that means could be twofold: It’s an announcement that you just’re entrusting the duty to them, and that you just’re thanking them for taking good care of the duty prematurely.

Otsukare sama desu (thanks to your exhausting work) 

Most suited to the office, otsukare sama desu is an ordinary expression thanking somebody for placing in exhausting work. The factor to recollect is that—like yoroshiku onegai shimasu—it’s not essentially a direct approach of claiming “thanks.” It may be translated as any one of many following phrases:

  • Thanks to your exhausting work.
  • Have a pleasant night.
  • See you tomorrow.
  • Good job.
  • Good working with you.

You could have three predominant variations that you should use:

  • otsukare (お疲れ): considerably informal, reserved for friends
  • otsukare sama (お疲れ様) or otsukare sama desu (お疲れ様です): commonplace and well mannered, used for work that’s ongoing or can be completed shortly
  • otsukare sama deshita (お疲れ様でした): well mannered, used for work that has been accomplished

Omatase shimashita (thanks for ready) 

In case you’ve ever been late to one thing and triggered individuals to attend on you, you’ve in all probability wavered between apologizing for inconveniencing them and thanking them for his or her endurance. This Japanese expression mixes the 2 collectively into one phrase.

  • Omatase shimashita.お待たせしました。)= Thanks for ready. (Alternatively: I’m sorry for making you wait.)

Grammatically talking, this expression is the causative type of the honorific phrase for “to attend.” Meaning it will merely be the assertion, “I’ve made you wait,” actually translated. 

Tetsudatte kurete arigatō (thanks for serving to) 

If you wish to thank somebody for performing a selected motion, you possibly can mix arigatō with the te-form Japanese verb conjugation of the motion and the te-form of the verb kureru (くれる). Kureru means “to obtain” if the speaker is the one on the receiving finish. That makes the whole expression akin to, “Thanks for doing [action] for me.” 

The method to make the expression seems like this: 

  • [verb in te-form] + kurete + arigatō([verb in te-form]+くれて+ありがとう)

A typical factor to thank somebody for is for serving to you out not directly, which makes this instance a strong phrase to maintain in your again pocket:

  • Tetsudatte kurete arigatou.手伝ってくれてありがとう。)= Thanks for serving to me.

To make the expression formal, you possibly can change the verb kureru to its honorific model kudasaru and add gozaimasu to the top, like so:

  • [verb in te-form] + kudasatte + arigatō gozaimasu([verb in te-form]+くださって+ありがとうございます)

You’d use this stage of ritual when speaking to somebody above you socially, like your boss.

  • Tetsudatte kudasatte arigatō gozaimasu.手伝ってくださってありがとうございます。)= Thanks very a lot for serving to me.

Ōkini (thanks) 

One of the well-known Japanese dialects is named Kansai-ben (関西弁), and ōkini is the phrase for “thanks.” You’ll hear it most frequently in informal customer-business conditions in Western Japan (primarily round Osaka or Kyoto), corresponding to when a shopkeeper thanks somebody for stopping in.

  • Ōkini! Mata okoshiyasu.(おおきに!またお越しやす。)= Thanks! Come once more.

Did you discover the elongated “ō” sound on the entrance of the phrase? Phrases that begin with lengthy vowels are uncommon in Japanese pronunciation. The correct method to pronounce this phrase is OH-kee-nee, fairly than emphasis on the ki or ni.

Sankyū (thanks) 

An excellent informal method to say “thanks” amongst pals, sankyū is a Japanese loanword of the English “thanks.” It’s written in katakana on account of its international origins. 

  • A, chiketto katte kuretan da. Sankyū!(あっ、チケット買ってくれたんだ。サンキュー!)= Oh, you got the tickets. Thanks!

Are you questioning why a Japanese particular person—who might or might not converse English—would use English to specific thanks? Consider it like when native English audio system say “thanks” in several languages, like gracias in Spanish or merci in French, as a substitute of in English. International languages are enjoyable to make use of, even if you happen to solely know a couple of phrases!

Easy methods to say ‘no, thanks’ politely

It’s culturally essential to know find out how to decline somebody or one thing politely in Japanese, as a much less direct strategy is most well-liked.

Kekkō desu (no, thanks) 

To say “no, thanks” in Japanese, essentially the most simple method to flip one thing down is to say kekkō desu. Actually, it’s nearer to “It’s nice.”

  • Kōhī wa ikaga desu ka.(コーヒーはいかがですか。)= Would you want espresso?

    • Iie, kekkō desu.(いいえ、結構です。)= No, thanks.

Passive turns of phrase are usually most well-liked over directness in Japanese, so the phrase “no” (iie, いいえ) must be used sparingly. Normally, it’s clear by means of context that you just’re declining one thing once you use kekkō desu, so the addition of iie is pointless usually.

  • Sarada wa ikaga desuka.(サラダはいかがですか。)= Would you want a salad?

    • Kekkō desu. Mō tabete imasu.(結構です。もう食べています。)= No, thanks. I’ve one.

Saying ‘thanks’ in Japanese: formal vs. informal

As you be taught Japanese, you’ll word that the conventional social conventions surrounding formality in Japanese tradition (corresponding to these making use of to Japanese honorifics) apply to the other ways to say “thanks.” Stick with utilizing informal variations with shut family and friends, and bear in mind to make use of the well mannered or formal model for different teams of individuals like:

  • Strangers
  • Folks above you at work (like your boss)
  • Folks above you at college (like your trainer or an upperclassman)
  • Different individuals you wish to present respect

Even one thing as small as remembering to make use of arigatō gozaimasu as a substitute of the straightforward arigatō can go an extended method to making a great impression. Bear in mind the suitable method to say “thanks” in Japanese for the scenario and others will thanks in return!

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