What does it mean word for word?
The expression いろいろと literally means 'various things' or 'in various ways', which provides the 'everything' aspect of the English expression.
Which one should you use?
The default form いろいろとありがとうございました is polite and suitable for teachers, bosses or acquaintances, whereas 'iroiro arigatō' is the informal version used with friends.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using the full ありがとうございました makes this phrase appropriate for formal settings, such as a farewell speech or a professional thank-you note.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai dialect, people often use the phrase おきに instead of ありがとう to express their thanks.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb is in the past tense (gozaimashita) because the gratitude is typically directed toward actions or support that have already been completed or provided over a period of time.
How do you pronounce it?
iroiro to arigatō gozaimashita
Did you know?
- In very casual settings, friends might shorten the phrase to just いろいろとね while nodding, leaving the 'thank you' part completely unspoken but understood.
- The phrase いろいろ can also be used to politely hint that things were complicated or difficult, adding a subtle layer of 'thank you for dealing with all the chaos'.
- In Japanese, the past tense ありがとうございました is used even if the person is still helping you, because it focuses on the specific period of support that has just concluded.
Examples in context
- いろいろとありがとうございました。Thank you for everything.Tatoeba #10515272 by bunbuku, translation #2107842 by Eldad
- 今日はいろいろとありがとうございました。Thank you for everything today.Tatoeba #171807 by tommy_san, translation #12421058 by CK
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A student is thanking a part-time teacher on his last day of work.
- 陽太 Yota今日で最後ですが、いろいろとありがとうございました。Kyou de saigo desu ga, iroiro to arigatou gozaimashita.Today is my last day, but thank you for everything.
- 結衣 Yuiこちらこそ、陽太くん、ありがとうございました。Kochira koso, Youta-kun, arigatou gozaimashita.The pleasure was mine, thank you, Youta.
- 陽太 Yota結衣先生の教えを忘れません。Yui-sensei no oshie o wasuremasen.I won't forget your teachings, Yui-sensei.
- 結衣 Yui応援していますよ。Ouen shite imasu yo.I'll be rooting for you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
