gracias
/ˈɡɾaθjas/ [ˈɡɾa.θjas]
In Spanish, thank you is said 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/ |
The standard way to express gratitude is gracias. If you want to express more intense gratitude, you can use muchas gracias for 'thank you very much' or the even more emphatic muchísimas gracias for 'thank you very, very much'. For a very casual way to convey deep gratitude, you might say ¡Mil gracias!
Which one should you use?
While gracias is the standard form, muchas gracias is a stronger and more emphatic way to express your gratitude.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say 'thank you for [something]', place the preposition por after gracias.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɡɾaθjas/ [ˈɡɾa.θjas]. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
When do people say it?
The most common response to gracias is de nada, which means 'you're welcome'.
Did you know?
- The word gracia can also mean 'joke' or 'wit', meaning that saying ¡Qué gracia! can mean both 'How much grace!' or 'How funny!' depending on context.
- Depending on the region, the 'c' in gracias is pronounced as a 's' sound in Latin America and parts of southern Spain, but as a 'th' sound in central and northern Spain.
- In some contexts, saying gracias too many times during a single interaction can actually be perceived as insincere or overly formal in certain Spanish-speaking cultures.
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 with the preposition por to thank someone for a specific action.Tatoeba #1901472 by marcelostockle, translation #2646007 by CK
- ¡Muchas gracias! Me encanta el regalo.Thank you very much! I love the gift.
- 328 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel gives Lucía a book she wanted to read.
- Lucía¡Gracias, Daniel!Thank you, Daniel!
- DanielDe nada, Lucía.You're welcome, Lucía.
- LucíaMe gusta mucho este libro.I really like this book.
- DanielEspero que lo disfrutes.I hope you enjoy it.
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.
