ありがとうございました
arigatou gozaimashita
In Japanese, "goodbye to customers" is expressed as ありがとうございました (arigatou gozaimashita).
This phrase is typically spoken by staff members as a customer is walking away or exiting the premises.
Which one should you use?
The phrase ありがとうございました uses the past tense, which is appropriate for a customer who is leaving. In contrast, the present tense form ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu) is used while the customer is still in the process of being served or at the start of an interaction.
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 a retail or service environment. For even more formal situations, you may use ご利用ありがとうございました (Thank you for your patronage) or またのご利用お待ちしております (We look forward to serving you again).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the past tense form of the verb to indicate that the transaction or visit has concluded.
How do you pronounce it?
arigatou gozaimashita
Did you know?
- The word ありがとう (arigatou) originates from the word 有り難い (arigatai), which literally means 'difficult to be', implying that the customer's visit is a rare and precious occurrence.
- In many Japanese stores, staff will not only say ありがとうございました but will physically bow and step outside the door to watch the customer leave until they are out of sight.
- It is common for staff to shout ありがとうございました in unison with their colleagues as a customer leaves, creating a choreographed choral effect in larger stores.
Examples in context
- またお待ちしております。ありがとうございました。Mata omachi shite orimasu. Arigatou gozaimashita.We look forward to seeing you again. Thank you very much.
- 本日はありがとうございました。Honjitsu wa arigatou gozaimashita.Thank you for coming today.
Example conversation
Hiyori is a shop clerk and Yamato is a customer leaving the store.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとうございました。Arigatou gozaimashita.Thank you very much.
- 大翔 Hirotoさようなら。Sayounara.Goodbye.
- 陽葵 Himariまたお越しください。Mata okoshi kudasai.Please come again.
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、また来ます。Hai, mata kimasu.Yes, I will come again.
