What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally breaks down to 'your understanding (honorific) receiving (humble) thank you (polite)'.
Which one should you use?
While ご理解いただきありがとうございます is a standard polite form, ご理解いただきまして、ありがとうございます is a more formal variation. If someone has accepted a specific request, you might also use ご了承いただき、ありがとうございます.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ご理解いただきありがとうございます is a highly formal and polite expression suitable for business correspondence or professional settings. For casual settings with friends, you would use 理解してくれてありがとう or 分かってくれてありがとう instead. Specifically, わかってくれてありがとう is a common informal way to say 'Thank you for understanding'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The go- prefix attached to rikai is an honorific prefix used to show respect to the listener's understanding.
How do you pronounce it?
go-rikai itadaki arigatō gozaimasu
Did you know?
- In very formal written notices, such as those in train stations or hotels, you might see the phrase used to apologize for an inconvenience without ever using the word 'sorry'.
- In Japanese business culture, the phrase ご理解いただきありがとうございます is often used as a preemptive expression of gratitude. It is frequently written in advance to thank people for a rule or inconvenience that has not even happened yet.
- The humble verb いただき (itadaki) used in the phrase comes from the word for 'receiving' something at a high level, literally suggesting you are humbly receiving the 'gift' of their understanding.
Examples in context
- 社内の緊急事態によるスケジュール変更にご理解いただきまして、ありがとうございます。Thank you for understanding the schedule change due to the internal emergency.
- 弊社の方針変更にご了承いただき、ありがとうございます。Thank you for your understanding regarding our policy change.
- イベントに行けなくなったけど、理解してくれてありがとう。I can't make it to the event, but thank you for understanding.
- 遅くなるかもしれないけど、分かってくれてありがとう。I might be late, but thank you for understanding.
- 急な変更ですが、ご理解いただきありがとうございます。Kyuu na henkou desu ga, go-rikai itadaki arigatou gozaimasu.It is a sudden change, but thank you for understanding.
- こちらの事情をご理解いただきありがとうございます。Kochira no jijou o go-rikai itadaki arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you for understanding our circumstances.
Example conversation
Kenta explains to Himari that he cannot attend her party due to work.
- 健太 Kenta仕事でパーティーに行けなくなりました。Shigoto de paatii ni ikenakunarimashita.I can't go to the party because of work.
- 陽葵 Himari大丈夫ですよ。仕事なら仕方ないです。Daijoubu desu yo. Shigoto nara shikatanai desu.It's okay. It can't be helped if it's for work.
- 健太 Kentaご理解いただきありがとうございます。Go-rikai itadaki arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you for understanding.
- 陽葵 Himariまた次の機会にしましょう。Mata tsugi no kikai ni shimashou.Let's do it another time.
