はい、ありがとうございます
hai, arigatō gozaimasu
In Japanese, "yes, thank you" is said as はい、ありがとうございます (hai, arigatō gozaimasu).
はい、ありがとうございます is a polite way to accept an offer or answer a question in the affirmative while expressing gratitude. It is commonly used when someone offers you something (like a drink or a service) and you wish to accept it.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of はい (yes) and ありがとうございます (thank you).
Which one should you use?
はい、ありがとうございます is the formal version used for politeness, whereas うん、ありがとう is an informal way to say "Yes, thank you."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
はい、ありがとうございます is a common way to say "Yes, thank you" in formal situations. For informal situations, you can use うん、ありがとう. Additionally, はい、ありがとう is an informal version meaning "yes, thanks" which is suitable only for friends or people of lower social status.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase うん、おおきに is an informal phrase used in the Kansai region meaning "Yeah, thanks a lot."
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase arigatō gozaimasu is in its polite form. Using arigatō alone is the casual form.
How do you pronounce it?
hai, arigatō gozaimasu
Did you know?
- The word ありがとう (thank you) is derived from あり難い, which literally means 'difficult to exist' or 'rare'.
- In Japan, it is common to say いいえ ('no') even when you are actually accepting an offer, as a way of being humble or refusing a second helping of food.
- While はい means 'yes', it is also frequently used as a verbal nod to signal 'I am listening' during a conversation, even if the speaker does not actually agree with the statement.
Examples in context
- はい、ありがとうございます。Yes, thank you.
- 「お茶をどうぞ。」「はい、ありがとうございます。」"Ocha o dōzo." "Hai, arigatou gozaimasu.""Please have some tea." "Yes, thank you."
Example conversation
Ren offers Yui a snack at the office.
- 蓮 Ren結衣さん、このお菓子を食べますか？Yui-san, kono okashi o tabemasu ka?Yui, would you like to eat this snack?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、ありがとうございます。Hai, arigatou gozaimasu.Yes, thank you.
- 蓮 Renいえいえ、どうぞ。Iie iie, dōzo.No problem, please go ahead.
- 結衣 Yuiいただきます。Itadakimasu.I will enjoy it.
