gracias
/ˈɡɾaθjas/ [ˈɡɾa.θjas]
In Spanish, thank you is gracias. Wiktionary also lists muchas gracias.
Meaning: an expression of gratitude (intj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| gracias | /ˈɡɾaθjas/ [ˈɡɾa.θjas] /ˈɡɾasjas/ [ˈɡɾa.sjas] (Latin America, Philippines) |
| muchas gracias | /ˌmut͡ʃas ˈɡɾaθjas/ /ˌmut͡ʃas ˈɡɾasjas/ |
The word is used as an expression of gratitude.
Which one should you use?
gracias is the standard way to say thank you, while muchas gracias is a stronger expression of gratitude.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "thank you for [something]", use the preposition por after gracias.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable. The IPA is /ˈɡɾaθjas/ [ˈɡɾa.θjas].
When do people say it?
The most common response to gracias is de nada.
Did you know?
- The word gracia can also mean 'joke' or 'wit' in Spanish, meaning that 'having grace' can sometimes imply being funny.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, saying gracias too often for small favors can be seen as creating a formal distance between friends.
- If you want to be exceptionally polite, you can say mil gracias, which literally translates to 'a thousand thanks'.
Examples in context
- No gracias, ya comí.No, thank you. I already ate.This example shows how to use gracias to politely decline something.Tatoeba #5058128 by don_ramon, translation #5057521 by AlanF_US
- Bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?Fine, thank you. And you?This example shows how to use gracias when answering a question about how you are.Tatoeba #532246 by cueyayotl, translation #239430 by sundown
- Gracias por la ayuda.Thank you for the help.This example shows how to use gracias followed by por to express thanks for a specific thing.Tatoeba #1901472 by marcelostockle, translation #2646007 by CK
- 328 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía gives Alejandro a book he wanted.
- Alejandro¡Gracias, Lucía! Es el libro que quería.Thank you, Lucía! It is the book I wanted.
- LucíaDe nada, Alejandro. Espero que te guste.You're welcome, Alejandro. I hope you like it.
- AlejandroMuchas gracias por ser tan amable.Thank you very much for being so kind.
- LucíaNo hay de qué, es un placer.Don't mention it, it's a pleasure.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thank you” translations and entries gracias, muchas gracias, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
