Which one should you use?
ありがとう is the short, informal form used with friends and family. In contrast, the polite form ありがとうございます is the standard way to say thank you to strangers, teachers or superiors. For extremely formal situations like speeches or formal letters, お礼申し上げます is used to express respect.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The casual form ありがとう is used in informal settings. You can even use the shortened version ありがと in casual conversations or text messages. For polite situations, use ありがとうございます. If you need to be very formal, use お礼申し上げます.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, people often use おおきに as an informal way to say thanks.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To thank someone for an action that has already been completed, such as a finished favor or a meeting that has just ended, use the past tense form ありがとうございました.
How do you pronounce it?
arigatō
Did you know?
- The word ありがとう originally meant 'hard to exist' or 'rare'. Over time, the meaning shifted from describing something as rare and special to expressing gratitude for such a rare occurrence.
- You can use the word ありがたい to describe things other than people's actions. For example, you can say the weather is ありがたい because it is a 'welcome' or 'precious' occurrence.
- Japanese speakers use different tenses for gratitude. ありがとうございました is used specifically after a favor is completed, while ありがとうございます is for an ongoing or immediate action.
Examples in context
- ありがとう。Thanks!This sentence shows a simple way to say thanks.Tatoeba #1532832 by bunbuku, translation #448645 by CK
- 色々ありがとう。Thanks for everything.This sentence is useful for thanking someone for many different things.Tatoeba #145951 by tommy__san, translation #2107841 by Eldad
- 電話ありがとう。Thanks for calling.This sentence shows how to thank someone for a specific action like calling.Tatoeba #3401026 by arnab, translation #1495886 by CK
- 227 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki gives Daito a snack at school.
- 美咲 Misakiこれ、食べてね。Kore, tabete ne.Here, please eat this.
- 大翔 Hirotoわあ、ありがとう！Waa, arigato!Wow, thanks!
- 美咲 Misakiいいえ、どういたしまして。Iie, douitashimashite.No, you're welcome.
- 大翔 Hirotoおいしそうだな。Oishisou da na.It looks delicious.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ありがとう, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ありがとう, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
