What does it mean word for word?
The word 返信 (henshin) literally means 'reply' or 'response' in the context of messages or emails.
Which one should you use?
While 返信ありがとうございます is a standard polite way to express gratitude, ご返信ありがとうございます adds an honorific prefix to increase politeness. For an even higher level of politeness, you can use お返事いただきありがとうございます, which utilizes the honorific itadaki. In contrast, the informal 返事ありがとう is a simple expression and 返信してくれてありがとう is used to specifically express appreciation for the person's active effort in replying.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
返信ありがとうございます is a polite form suitable for business or formal correspondence. For more formal situations, use ご返信ありがとうございます or お返事いただきありがとうございます. For informal situations, such as with friends or close colleagues, you may use 返事ありがとう or 返信してくれてありがとう. Removing gozaimasu from the end to create 返信ありがとう makes the phrase informal and it should only be used with friends or close colleagues.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to thank someone for reaching out to you generally rather than replying to a specific message, you can use ご連絡ありがとうございます.
How do you pronounce it?
henshin arigatōgozaimasu
Did you know?
- When using the high-level version お返事いただきありがとうございます, the word いただき (itadaki) comes from a verb that literally means 'to receive' in a humble way. It transforms the act of 'receiving a reply' into a gesture of receiving a gift or a blessing.
- In Japanese business emails, it is common to start a reply with 返信ありがとうございます even if the other person took weeks to respond, as acknowledging the act of replying is more important than the timing.
- In extremely formal Japanese correspondence, people often avoid thanking the person for the 'reply' itself. Instead, they use a phrase that thanks the person for their 'kindness' or 'consideration' in providing the response.
Examples in context
- 件名「プロジェクトの締切についてのメール」に関して、ご返信ありがとうございます。Thank you for your reply to my email regarding the project deadline.
- お問い合わせに対する早急なご返事、ありがとうございました。Thank you for your prompt response to my inquiry.
- すぐに返信してくれてありがとう！Thanks for getting back to me so quickly!
- テキストに返信してくれてありがとう。Thanks for replying to my text.
- 早速の返信ありがとうございます。sassoku no henshin arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you for your prompt reply.
Example conversation
Hiroto sends an email to Misaki regarding a meeting schedule.
- 大翔 Hiroto返信ありがとうございます。henshin arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you for your reply.
- 美咲 Misakiいえいえ、こちらこそ。iie iie, kochira koso.No, thank you as well.
- 大翔 Hiroto日程、承知いたしました。nittei, shouchi itashimashita.I have noted the schedule.
- 美咲 Misakiよろしくお願いいたします。yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.I look forward to working with you.
