ありがとうございます
arigatō gozaimasu[a̠ɾʲiɡa̠to̞ː ɡo̞za̠ima̠sɨ̥]
To say "thank you politely" in Japanese, use ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu).
ありがとうございます is the most common way to say thank you in formal settings and translates to "thank you very much". For a deeper level of gratitude, especially when someone has gone above and beyond to help, you can use どうもありがとうございます. Another formal way to express gratitude, often used in speeches or formal letters, is 感謝します, which means "I appreciate it".
Which one should you use?
The shorter form ありがとう is used with friends and family, whereas adding gozaimasu makes the phrase polite and suitable for strangers or superiors.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Adding gozaimasu to ありがとう elevates the expression from a casual one to a polite, standard way to show respect.
How does it change in a sentence?
To thank someone for something that has already been completed, use the past tense form ありがとうございました.
When do people say it?
Bowing is a common gesture to accompany saying thank you in Japanese culture.
Did you know?
- Japanese people often express gratitude by apologizing. For example, if someone goes out of their way to help, a person might say すみません 'excuse me' or 'I am sorry' instead of ありがとうございます.
- The word ありがとう comes from an ancient adjective meaning 'difficult to be'. It originally expressed that the giver's kindness was so rare that it was 'hard to exist' or 'rare to find'.
- In Japanese culture, saying ありがとうございます is sometimes seen as a way to create distance. In very close relationships, over-using polite forms can unintentionally signal that you are pushing someone away.
Examples in context
- 手伝ってくれて、ありがとうございます。Tetsudatte kurete, arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you for helping me.
- いつもありがとうございます。Itsumo arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you as always.
Example conversation
Kenta gives Yui a small gift.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さん、これ、プレゼントです。Yui-san, kore, purezento desu.Yui, this is a present for you.
- 結衣 Yuiわあ、ありがとうございます、健太さん。Waa, arigatou gozaimasu, Kenta-san.Wow, thank you, Kenta.
- 健太 Kenta気に入ってくれると嬉しいです。Ki ni itte kureru to ureshii desu.I hope you like it.
- 結衣 Yuiとても大切にしますね。Totemo taisetsu ni shimasu ne.I will cherish it very much.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ありがとうございます, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ありがとうございます, CC BY-SA 4.0.
