ありがとうございました
arigatō gozaimashita
In Japanese, ありがとうございました (arigatō gozaimashita) is a polite way to say goodbye to a customer while thanking them for their business.
ありがとうございました translates to "thank you very much" and is commonly used by shop staff or restaurant servers as a standard parting greeting to a customer. Another polite phrase you may encounter when leaving a customer's presence is 失礼します, which translates to "excuse me for leaving".
Which one should you use?
While ありがとうございます is used for ongoing or future gratitude, ありがとうございました is used specifically when the service is finished and the customer is leaving.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ありがとうございました is a polite, formal expression suitable for staff to use with customers in retail or service environments.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the past tense form of the verb to indicate that the transaction or interaction has concluded.
How do you pronounce it?
arigatō gozaimashita
Did you know?
- The word ありがとう originates from あり難い, meaning 'difficult to exist'. It expresses that the customer's kindness or business is a rare and precious thing.
- In a Japanese shop, you will rarely hear staff say さようなら (sayonara) to a customer, as this can sound like a permanent or cold parting rather than a friendly 'goodbye'.
- In some retail settings, staff may continue to shout ありがとうございました after a customer has already exited the building and is walking away down the street.
Examples in context
- 本日はありがとうございました。Honjitsu wa arigatou gozaimashita.Thank you very much for today.
Example conversation
A customer is leaving a small boutique after buying a gift.
- 陽葵 Himariこちら、お会計になります。Kochira, o-kaikei ni narimasu.Here is your bill.
- 蓮 Renはい、お願いします。Hai, onegaishimasu.Yes, please.
- 陽葵 Himariお買い上げ、ありがとうございました。O-kaiage, arigatou gozaimashita.Thank you for your purchase.
- 蓮 Renまた来ますね。Mata kimasu ne.I will come again.
