gracias
/ˈɡɾaθjas/ [ˈɡɾa.θjas]
In Spanish, thank you is gracias. Wiktionary also lists muchas gracias.
Meaning: an expression of gratitude (intj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| gracias | /ˈɡɾaθjas/ [ˈɡɾa.θjas] /ˈɡɾasjas/ [ˈɡɾa.sjas] (Latin America, Philippines) |
| muchas gracias | /ˌmut͡ʃas ˈɡɾaθjas/ /ˌmut͡ʃas ˈɡɾasjas/ |
The most common and versatile way to say "thank you" in Spanish is gracias. To express more gratitude, you can say muchas gracias. For even more emphasis, particularly among friends and peers, you can use the expression mil gracias, which means "a thousand thanks".
Which one should you use?
While gracias is the standard way to say thank you, muchas gracias is a stronger and more emphatic version.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing gratitude for a specific thing or action, use the preposition por after gracias.
How do you pronounce it?
gracias is pronounced /ˈɡɾaθjas/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
When do people say it?
The most common response to gracias is de nada, which literally means "of nothing".
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common to say gracias for things that are not favors, such as when someone tells you that you have a smudge on your face or that you forgot your umbrella.
- While gracias is used for gratitude, the word gracia also means 'wit' or 'humor'. If someone has gracia, they are considered funny or charming.
- The word gracias comes from the Latin phrase gratias agere, which literally meant 'to act out' or 'to perform' thanks.
Examples in context
- No gracias, ya comí.No, thank you. I already ate.This sentence shows how to use gracias.Tatoeba #5058128 by don_ramon, translation #5057521 by AlanF_US
- Bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?Fine, thank you. And you?This sentence shows a way to respond to a question using gracias.Tatoeba #532246 by cueyayotl, translation #239430 by sundown
- Gracias por la ayuda.Thank you for the help.This sentence demonstrates how to use gracias with the preposition por to thank someone for a specific action.Tatoeba #1901472 by marcelostockle, translation #2646007 by CK
- Gracias, amigo/a, tu amabilidad no tiene precio.Thanks, friend, your kindness is priceless.
- 328 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel hands Elena a glass of water.
- ElenaGracias, Daniel.Thank you, Daniel.
- DanielDe nada, Elena.You're welcome, Elena.
- ElenaTenía mucha sed.I was very thirsty.
- DanielNo hay problema.No problem.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thank you” translations and entries gracias, muchas 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.
