What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of go (honorific prefix), shinpai (worry/concern) and arigatō gozaimasu (thank you).
Which one should you use?
While ご心配ありがとうございます is a standard polite option, you can use お気遣いありがとうございます as a more sophisticated alternative to thank someone for their 'thoughtfulness' or 'consideration' rather than just their 'worry'. Additionally, 心配していただきありがとうございます literally means "thank you for worrying" and is a polite way to thank someone for their concern.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form ご心配ありがとうございます is suitable for professional or polite social settings. For very formal situations, you can use ご心配いただきありがとうございます to be a respectful way to express appreciation for someone's worry or concern towards you. If you are speaking with friends or family, the informal version 心配してくれてありがとう is appropriate.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding itadaki (the humble form of 'to receive') makes the expression even more polite and formal by emphasizing that you have received their concern.
How do you pronounce it?
goshinpai arigatō gozaimasu
Did you know?
- Japanese speakers often pair this phrase with おかげさまで, which means 'thanks to you', even if the other person provided no actual help.
- The honorific prefix ご in ご心配 treats the other person's anxiety or worry on your behalf as a gift or a favor.
- While shinpai means 'concern', it can also mean 'worry' in a negative sense. In some contexts, saying ご心配ありがとうございます can inadvertently signal that the situation is actually quite serious.
Examples in context
- お気遣いありがとうございます。私の試験のことを心配していただいて嬉しいです。Thank you for your concern. I'm glad you worried about my exam.
- ご心配いただき、本当にありがとうございます。Thank you so much for your concern.
- 心配してくれてありがとう。君の優しさにいつも感謝しています。Thank you for being concerned. I always appreciate your kindness.
- ご心配ありがとうございます。Goshinpai arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you for your concern.
- 温かいご心配ありがとうございます。Atatakai goshinpai arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you for your kind concern.
Example conversation
Misaki asks Yota about his recent illness.
- 美咲 Misaki体調はどうですか？大丈夫ですか？Taichou wa dou desu ka? Daijoubu desu ka?How are you feeling? Are you okay?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、ご心配ありがとうございます。Hai, goshinpai arigatou gozaimasu.Yes, thank you for your concern.
- 美咲 Misaki無理しないでゆっくり休んでくださいね。Muri shinaide yukkuri yasunde kudasai ne.Please don't overdo it and get some good rest.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとうございます。そうします。Arigatou gozaimasu. Sou shimasu.Thank you. I will do that.
