What does it mean word for word?
The word どうも functions as an adverb meaning "very" or "truly" to add emphasis to the gratitude. The phrase ありがとうございます is the polite form of "thank you".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
どうもありがとうございます is a formal expression used for more intense gratitude. For a standard formal expression, you can use ありがとうございます. If you are speaking with people you have a close relationship with, you may use the informal どうもありがとう. The most casual way to say thanks is ありがとう, or even just the shorthand どうも, which should only be used with friends or subordinates.
How does it change in a sentence?
To thank someone for something that has already been completed, change the ending to the past tense どうもありがとうございました.
How do you pronounce it?
dōmo arigatō gozaimasu
When do people say it?
A standard polite response to this expression of gratitude is いいえ、どういたしまして (no, you're welcome).
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, thanking someone too much for a small favor can occasionally create a sense of 'debt' or social imbalance. Sometimes, a simple, subtle acknowledgment is preferred over an overly emphatic 'thank you so much'.
- When using どうもありがとうございます, a slight bow is often performed in sync with the speech. The depth of the bow can signal the level of sincerity and respect you are providing alongside your words.
- The word どうも (dōmo) can be used to start an apology, such as in どうもすみません (dōmo sumimasen), showing its role as a versatile intensifier for many social emotions.
Examples in context
- どうもありがとうございます。Thank you so much.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase どうもありがとうございます.Tatoeba #11831589 by small_snow, translation #2648441 by CK
- お祝いをいただき、どうもありがとうございます。Oiwai o itadaki, doumo arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you so much for the celebration gift.
- 手伝ってくれて、どうもありがとうございます。Tetsudatte kurete, doumo arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you so much for helping me.
Example conversation
Yui gives Yota a guidebook for his trip.
- 陽太 Yotaこの本を貸してくれて、どうもありがとうございます。kono hon o kashite kurete, doumo arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you so much for lending me this book.
- 結衣 Yuiいいえ、気にしないでください。iie, ki ni shinaide kudasai.No problem, please don't worry about it.
- 陽太 Yotaとても役に立ちそうです。totemo yaku ni tachi sou desu.It looks like it will be very useful.
- 結衣 Yuiいい旅になりますように！ii tabi ni narimasu you ni!I hope you have a great trip!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry どうもありがとうございます, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
