ありがとうございます
arigatō gozaimasupolite
The polite way to say thank you in Japanese is ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu). For extra warmth add どうも to get どうもありがとうございます (dōmo arigatō gozaimasu). It is also called ありがとうございました (arigatō gozaimashita).
Meaning: polite thank you (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ありがとうございます | arigatō gozaimasu | polite |
| どうもありがとうございます | dōmo arigatō gozaimasu | very polite |
| ありがとうございました | arigatō gozaimashita | polite, for something done |
Use ありがとうございました (arigatō gozaimashita), the past form, when the help is finished, such as after a meal or at the end of a meeting.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Plain ありがとう is for friends and family. Adding ございます makes it suitable for customers, teachers and bosses.
When do people say it?
A small bow usually goes with a formal thank you.
Did you know?
- The phrase ありがとうございます is often used in the past form ありがとうございました when a customer leaves a shop.
Examples in context
- ありがとうございます。Arigatō gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
- おせわになり、ありがとうございました。Osewa ni nari, arigatō gozaimashita.Thank you for all your help.
Example conversation
A new employee thanks a manager at the end of a first-day training session.
- Employeeほんじつはありがとうございました。Honjitsu wa arigatō gozaimashita.Thank you for today.
- Managerおつかれさまでした。Otsukaresama deshita.Good work today.
- Employeeどうもありがとうございます。Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu.Thank you so much.
