gracias
/ˈɡɾaθjas/ [ˈɡɾa.θjas]
The English phrase "thank you" is translated into Spanish as 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/ |
You can also use mil gracias to say "a thousand thanks" or te agradezco un montón to mean "I'm really thankful to you".
Which one should you use?
While gracias is the standard way to say thank you, muchas gracias is a stronger and more emphatic way to express your gratitude.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Catalonia, people often use the word Merci to say thank you.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say "thank you for [something]", you should use the preposition por instead of para.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable. It is pronounced /ˈɡɾaθjas/ [ˈɡɾa.θjas].
When do people say it?
The most common response to gracias is de nada, which means "you're welcome".
Did you know?
- The Spanish word gracia can also mean 'a joke' or 'wit', so saying tiene mucha gracia can mean someone is very funny rather than expressing gratitude.
- While de nada is the standard reply, in some Spanish-speaking regions people say no hay de qué, which literally means 'there is nothing of which to thank'.
- The word gracias shares an ancestor with the English word 'grace', describing a quality of elegance or divine favor rather than just gratitude.
Examples in context
- No gracias, ya comí.No, thank you. I already ate.This sentence shows how to use gracias to decline an offer.Tatoeba #5058128 by don_ramon, translation #5057521 by AlanF_US
- Bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?Fine, thank you. And you?This sentence shows how to use gracias when answering how you are doing.Tatoeba #532246 by cueyayotl, translation #239430 by sundown
- Gracias por la ayuda.Thank you for the help.This sentence shows how to use gracias followed by por to thank someone for something.Tatoeba #1901472 by marcelostockle, translation #2646007 by CK
- 328 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel hands Elena a glass of water.
- ElenaGracias, Daniel.Thank you, Daniel.
- DanielDe nada, Elena.You're welcome, Elena.
- ElenaTenía mucha sed.I was very thirsty.
- DanielNo hay problema.No problem.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thank you” translations and entries gracias, muchas gracias, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gracias, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
