褒めてくれてありがとう
homete kurete arigatō
In Japanese, "thank you for the compliment" is expressed as 褒めてくれてありがとう (homete kurete arigatō).
This phrase is used specifically when someone has complimented a quality, skill or action of yours.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "thank you for doing me the favor of praising me". The verb homete is the te-form of homeru (to praise), and kurete is the te-form of kureru (to give/do for me), which together express that the person's action was a favor directed toward the speaker.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 褒めてくれてありがとう is informal and should be used with friends, family or people of equal or lower social status. Adding gozaimasu to the end of the phrase to make it 褒めてくれてありがとうございます makes it polite and suitable for use with superiors or strangers.
How do you pronounce it?
homete kurete arigatō
Did you know?
- While English speakers often say 'thank you' for a compliment, traditional Japanese modesty suggests reacting with いえいえ ('no, no') or とんでもないです ('not at all') to deflect the praise.
- In highly formal settings, instead of using a phrase based on 'thank you', a Japanese person might use お恥ずかしいです ('I am embarrassed') to show they are humbled by the praise.
- The root verb homeru is related to the concept of 'fame' or 'reputation' in older forms of the language, linking the act of praising to the creation of a public name.
Examples in context
- 褒めてくれてありがとう。Homete kurete arigatou.Thank you for the compliment.
- 褒めてくれてありがとう、すごく嬉しいです！Homete kurete arigatou, sugoku ureshii desu!Thank you for the compliment, I am very happy!
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are talking about a drawing Yui made.
- 陽太 Yotaこの絵、すごく上手だね！Kono e, sugoku jouzu da ne!This drawing is really great!
- 結衣 Yui本当に？褒めてくれてありがとう。Hontou ni? Homete kurete arigatou.Really? Thank you for the compliment.
- 陽太 Yota本当だよ。センスがいいね。Hontou da yo. Sensu ga ii ne.I mean it. You have great taste.
- 結衣 Yuiそう言ってもらえて嬉しいな。Sou itte moraete ureshii na.I'm glad you said that.
