お世話になりました
osewa ni narimashita
The English phrase "thank you for looking after me" is translated into Japanese as お世話になりました (osewa ni narimashita).
This phrase is used to express that you are indebted to someone or to say "thank you for your kindness." It is a common expression during farewells, such as when you are leaving a job, graduating from school or finishing a business transaction.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase means "I have become in your care."
Which one should you use?
The form お世話になりました is used when a period of being looked after has concluded or a specific phase of a relationship is ending. In contrast, osewa ni narimasu is used when you are starting a new relationship or entering a new phase of care.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
お世話になりました is a polite and formal expression suitable for use with teachers, bosses or clients. For close friends or family, you can use the informal version 世話になった.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb in お世話になりました is in the past tense (narimashita), which is used because the period of being looked after has concluded or a specific phase of the relationship is ending.
How do you pronounce it?
osewa ni narimashita
Did you know?
- Using お世話になりました is often less about 'thanks' and more about acknowledging giri, a complex Japanese sense of social obligation and duty.
- While sewa now means general care, it historically referred specifically to the physical labor of tending to children or the sick.
- When moving to a new home, a Japanese person might send a formal written notification called an aisatsu-jo to neighbors that includes this phrase.
Examples in context
- 三年間、本当にお世話になりました。San-nenkan, hontou ni osewa ni narimashita.Thank you so much for looking after me for three years.
- 学生時代はお世話になりました。Gakusei jidai wa osewa ni narimashita.Thank you for looking after me during my student days.
- 研修期間中はお世話になりました。Kenshuu kikan chuu wa osewa ni narimashita.Thank you for looking after me during the training period.
Example conversation
Hiyori is leaving her job at a company.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太さん、本当にお世話になりました。Yōta-san, hontō ni osewa ni narimashita.Yota, thank you so much for looking after me.
- 陽太 Yotaこちらこそ、ありがとう。Kochira koso, arigatō.Thank you too.
- 陽葵 Himari寂しくなりますが、頑張ります。Sabishiku narimasu ga, ganbarimasu.I'll be lonely, but I'll do my best.
- 陽太 Yota新しい場所でも応援しているよ。Atarashii basho demo ōen shite iru yo.I'll be rooting for you in your new place.
