先生、ありがとうございます
sensei, arigatōgozaimasu
To say thank you to teacher in Japanese, say 先生、ありがとうございます (sensei, arigatōgozaimasu). It addresses the teacher by title and thanks them politely.
This phrase is a polite and appropriate way to express gratitude to a teacher or professor. ありがとうございます on its own is a general polite thank you, and adding 先生 in front makes it clear you are speaking to your teacher.
What does it mean word for word?
先生 (sensei) means teacher and is used here as a form of address. ありがとうございます (arigatōgozaimasu) is the polite form of thank you.
Which one should you use?
先生、ありがとう (sensei, arigatō) drops the polite ending. It is informal and would be considered rude to say to a teacher.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
先生、ありがとうございます is polite, which is the right level for a teacher.
How do you pronounce it?
Say it as sensei, arigatōgozaimasu, with a short pause after sensei. The long ō in arigatō is held for about twice as long as a normal o.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not call your teacher by their name with the ordinary polite name suffix. In Japanese you address the teacher by the title 先生 instead. Also avoid the short arigatō with a teacher.
Did you know?
- In some traditional settings, students may use the phrase お疲れ様でした ('you are tired') instead of a direct thank you to acknowledge the teacher's hard work.
- While 先生 means 'teacher', it is also the standard title for doctors, lawyers and authors. Using this phrase to thank a physician is just as common as using it for a school teacher.
- The word 先生 (sensei) literally translates to 'one who has gone before' or 'born before', implying the person has more experience.
Examples in context
- いつも教えてくれて、先生、ありがとうございます。Itsumo oshiete kurete, sensei, arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you, teacher, for always teaching me.
Example conversation
Yui is leaving the classroom after receiving help with her homework.
- 結衣 Yui先生、ありがとうございます。Sensei, arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you, teacher.
- 大翔 Hirotoいいえ、どういたしまして。Iie, douitashimashite.No, you are welcome.
- 結衣 Yuiおかげでよく分かりました。Okage de yoku wakarimashita.Thanks to you, I understand it well now.
- 大翔 Hiroto頑張ってくださいね、結衣さん。Ganbatte kudasai ne, Yui-san.Good luck with your studies, Yui.
