先生、ありがとうございました
sensei, arigatōgozaimashita
In Japanese, the phrase to say thank you to a teacher is 先生、ありがとうございました (sensei, arigatōgozaimashita).
This phrase is a polite expression of gratitude used to thank a teacher for their help or instruction. It is most commonly used at the end of a class, a lecture or after receiving specific guidance from a teacher.
Which one should you use?
Using just 先生、ありがとう is much more casual and would be considered impolite or overly familiar when addressing a teacher. While Arigatō gozaimasu is the standard formal phrase for saying thank you, Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita is a more formal way of saying thank you, often used for something specific done in the past.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase 先生、ありがとうございました is a polite and respectful way to express gratitude to a teacher and is suitable for students of any age.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the past tense form ありがとうございました instead of the present tense arigatōgozaimasu because the gratitude is directed toward a completed action, such as a finished lesson or a period of instruction.
How do you pronounce it?
sensei, arigatōgozaimashita
Did you know?
- The word 先生 literally translates to 'one who was born before', reflecting a cultural view that age and experience are the primary sources of authority.
- In Japan, the word 先生 (sensei) is not just a title for teachers, but is also used for doctors, lawyers, and authors to acknowledge their expertise.
- The word 先生 used in this phrase is so respectful that it can replace a person's actual name entirely. In a classroom, it is more natural to address a teacher simply as 先生 than to use their actual surname.
Examples in context
- 授業、先生、ありがとうございました。Jugyou, sensei, arigatou gozaimashita.Thank you for the lesson, teacher.
Example conversation
Yota and Himari are leaving the classroom after a lesson.
- 陽太 Yota先生、ありがとうございました。Sensei, arigato gozaimashita.Thank you very much, teacher.
- 陽葵 Himariいいえ、お疲れ様でした。Iie, otsukaresama deshita.You're welcome, good work today.
- 陽太 Yotaまた来週お願いします。Mata raishu onegaishimasu.I look forward to next week.
- 陽葵 Himariはい、また来週会いましょう。Hai, mata raishu aimashou.Yes, let's meet again next week.
