Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ありがとう | arigatō | [a̠ɾʲiɡa̠to̞ː] (narrow) [a̠˨ɾi˦ɡ̃a̠˨to̞ː˨˨] (narrow) |
| ありがとうございます | arigatō gozaimasu | [a̠ɾʲiɡa̠to̞ː ɡo̞za̠ima̠sɨ̥] (narrow) |
| どうもありがとう | dōmo arigatō | [do̞ːmo̞ a̠ɾʲiɡa̠to̞ː] (narrow) |
| どうも | dōmo | [do̞ːmo̞] (narrow) |
| サンキュー | sankyū | [sã̠ŋʲkʲɨː] (narrow) |
| 大きに | ōkini | [o̞ːkʲiɲ̟i] (narrow) |
These expressions are used to show gratitude. For a deeper sense of thanks for help or support received over a period of time, you might use お世話になりました.
Which one should you use?
ありがとうございます is the polite form, while ありがとう is the casual form. To add emphasis to your gratitude in a casual context, you can use どうもありがとう. The word どうも by itself is a very casual, clipped way to say thanks during quick, everyday interactions.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ありがとうございます is a formal and polite way to say thank you, suitable for use with superiors, strangers or in formal settings. In contrast, ありがとう is the informal version used with friends, family or people of lower social status. The term サンキュー is a loanword from English and functions as casual slang among friends. どうも is a very casual, short way to say thanks.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, such as in Osaka, locals use 大きに to express gratitude.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express gratitude for an action that has already been completed, use the polite past tense form ありがとうございました.
How do you pronounce it?
arigatō
Did you know?
Examples in context
- ありがとう。Thank you!This sentence is useful for saying a simple thank you.Tatoeba #1532832 by bunbuku, translation #374827 by sysko
- 電話ありがとう。Thank you for calling.This sentence is useful for thanking someone for calling.Tatoeba #3401026 by arnab, translation #64155 by CK
- 本当にありがとう。Thank you very much!This sentence is useful for expressing much gratitude using the form ありがとう.Tatoeba #81557 by tommy_san, translation #1564 by adjusting
- 387 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren gives Himari a small gift.
- 陽葵 Himariこれ、プレゼント。Kore, purezento.This is a present for you.
- 蓮 Renわあ、ありがとう！Waa, arigatou!Wow, thank you!
- 陽葵 Himari喜んでもらえてよかった。Yorokonde moraete yokatta.I'm glad you like it.
- 蓮 Ren大切にするね。Taisetsu ni suru ne.I will cherish it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thank you” translations and entries ありがとう, ありがとうございます, どうもありがとう, どうも, サンキュー, 大きに, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ありがとう, ありがとうございます, どうも, どうもありがとう, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
