Which one should you use?
While Arigatou gozaimashita is used to express thanks for a specific action that has already been done (translating to "Thank you for what you did"), お世話になりました focuses more broadly on the ongoing support or care provided by the person.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
お世話になりました is a polite, standard expression. It is suitable for use with bosses, teachers or clients.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase お世話になりました is in the past tense, making it appropriate for thanking someone for care or support that has already occurred or is now concluding. If you are starting a new relationship or project and want to say "thank you in advance" or "I will be in your care," you would use the present/future tense form お世話になります.
How do you pronounce it?
osewa ni narimashita
Did you know?
- In Japanese business culture, it is common to start almost every email to a client or partner with お世話になっております (I am always in your care) even if you have not spoken to them in weeks. This is not a literal question of whether they are currently helping you, but a ritualistic way to acknowledge the professional relationship.
- The word 世話 can also be used in the phrase 世話を焼く, which describes someone who is 'meddling' or 'fussing' over another person.
- When saying お世話になりました to a boss or teacher, it is common to accompany the phrase with a deep, slow bow to visually signal the 'debt' of gratitude mentioned in the phrase.
Examples in context
- 長い間、お世話になりました。Nagai aida, osewa ni narimashita.Thank you for taking care of me for a long time.
- 学校では本当にお世話になりました。Gakkou de wa hontou ni osewa ni narimashita.Thank you so much for taking care of me at school.
- 研修中はお世話になりました。Kenshuuchuu wa osewa ni narimashita.Thank you for taking care of me during my training.
Example conversation
Misaki is leaving her part-time job and saying goodbye to her colleague Youta.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さん、今日で最後です。お世話になりました。Youta-san, kyou de saigo desu. Osewa ni narimashita.Youta, today is my last day. Thank you for taking care of me.
- 陽太 Yotaこちらこそ、お疲れ様でした。Kochira koso, otsukaresama deshita.Likewise, thank you for your hard work.
- 美咲 Misakiまたどこかでお会いしましょう。Mata dokoka de oai shimashou.Let's meet again somewhere.
- 陽太 Yotaはい、元気でね。Hai, genki de ne.Yes, take care.
