gracias
/ˈɡɾaθjas/ [ˈɡɾa.θjas]
In Spanish, thanks is said as gracias.
gracias is used to express appreciation or gratitude. You can also use the noun gracias to refer to an expression of gratitude, or the related noun agradecimiento to refer to feelings of gratitude. For a standard way to say thank you very much, use muchas gracias. If you want to express enthusiasm informally, you can say mil gracias, which means a thousand thanks. In friendly, informal settings, you might also say te agradezco un montón to mean I am really grateful to you.
Meaning: used to express appreciation or gratitude (intj)
Which one should you use?
While gracias is used to express gratitude, the phrase gracias a is used to mean 'thanks to' in a causal sense, such as when attributing a result to something (e.g., 'thanks to your help').
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to specify the reason for your gratitude, follow gracias with the preposition por (thanks for).
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the first syllable: /ˈɡɾaθjas/ [ˈɡɾa.θjas].
When do people say it?
The most common way to respond to gracias is de nada, which means you're welcome.
Did you know?
- Because gracias comes from the word for 'grace', it can also be used in a completely different context to mean 'jokes' or 'witticisms', such as in the phrase hacer gracias (to make jokes/to act silly).
- Depending on the region, the 'c' in gracias is pronounced differently. In most of Spain, it is a voiceless dental fricative like the 'th' in 'think', but in Latin America it is an 's' sound.
- The word gracias shares the same root as the English word 'grace', as both derive from the Latin 'gratia'.
Examples in context
- Es gracias a ti.It's thanks to you.This sentence shows how to use gracias to mean 'thanks to' in a causal sense.Tatoeba #4767242 by cueyayotl, translation #4767215 by Stalwartlover
- Gracias a la vida.Thanks to life.Tatoeba #2096233 by marcelostockle, translation #2096234 by marcelostockle
- Dile gracias a Tom.Tell Tom thanks.This sentence uses gracias to express the act of telling someone thanks.Tatoeba #9452874 by ignacio, translation #3199821 by CK
- Professor García, le agradezco mucho por su valioso tiempo.Professor García, I am very grateful for your valuable time.
- Señorita López, agradezco su ayuda con este asunto tan importante.Miss López, I appreciate your help with this important matter.
- ¡Gracias, hermano! Me has ayudado mucho.Thanks, brother! You have helped me a lot.
- María, muchísimas gracias por estar siempre ahí para mí.María, thank you very much for always being there for me.
- 307 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena hands Daniel a cup of coffee.
- ElenaAquí tienes tu café, Daniel.Here is your coffee, Daniel.
- DanielMuchas gracias, Elena.Thank you very much, Elena.
- ElenaDe nada.You're welcome.
- DanielGracias por el detalle.Thanks for the thoughtful gesture.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thanks” translations and entries gracias, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gracias, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
