Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ありがとう | arigatō | [a̠ɾʲiɡa̠to̞ː] (narrow) [a̠˨ɾi˦ɡ̃a̠˨to̞ː˨˨] (narrow) |
| ありがとうございます | arigatō gozaimasu | [a̠ɾʲiɡa̠to̞ː ɡo̞za̠ima̠sɨ̥] (narrow) |
| どうもありがとう | dōmo arigatō | [do̞ːmo̞ a̠ɾʲiɡa̠to̞ː] (narrow) |
| どうも | dōmo | [do̞ːmo̞] (narrow) |
| サンキュー | sankyū | [sã̠ŋʲkʲɨː] (narrow) |
| 大きに | ōkini | [o̞ːkʲiɲ̟i] (narrow) |
The Japanese language uses different expressions of gratitude based on the level of politeness and the timing of the action. The standard and most widely used form is ありがとうございます. To express a deeper sense of appreciation, you can use Kansha shimasu. In specific social settings, Otsukaresama desu is used to thank someone for their hard work or effort, while Gochisousama deshita is used after a meal to thank the person who prepared the food or the host.
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase どうもありがとう, the word どうも acts as an intensifier meaning very or truly.
Which one should you use?
While ありがとうございます is the standard way to say thank you, どうもありがとう uses the word どうも to add emphasis. For even greater politeness, you can use Doumo arigatou gozaimasu. For a slightly softer and friendlier tone, you can add a particle to say Arigato ne.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality varies significantly between forms. ありがとうございます is the standard polite form. どうも is a very casual, shortened version often used among acquaintances or in quick-service situations. For very casual, youthful or playful contexts, you might hear the English loanword サンキュー.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai area, such as Osaka or Kyoto, you may hear the regional form 大きに, which means thank you very much.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express gratitude for something that is currently happening or has just happened, use the present tense ありがとうございます. To convey gratitude for a completed action or a service that has already finished, use the past tense ありがとうございました.
How do you pronounce it?
arigatō
Did you know?
Examples in context
- ありがとう。Thank you!This sentence shows a simple way to say thank you using ありがとう.Tatoeba #1532832 by bunbuku, translation #374827 by sysko
- 電話ありがとう。Thank you for calling.This sentence demonstrates how to use ありがとう when thanking someone for a phone call.Tatoeba #3401026 by arnab, translation #64155 by CK
- 本当にありがとう。Thank you very much!This sentence uses ありがとう to express a strong sense of gratitude.Tatoeba #81557 by tommy_san, translation #1564 by adjusting
- 387 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren gives a small gift to Misaki.
- 蓮 Renこれ、プレゼント。Kore, purezento.This is a present.
- 美咲 Misakiわあ、ありがとう！Waa, arigatou!Wow, thank you!
- 蓮 Ren喜んでもらえてよかった。Yorokonde moraete yokatta.I'm glad you're happy.
- 美咲 Misaki大切にするね。Taisetsu ni suru ne.I will cherish it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thank you” translations and entries ありがとう, ありがとうございます, どうもありがとう, どうも, サンキュー, 大きに, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ありがとう, ありがとうございます, どうも, どうもありがとう, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
