How Do You Say Thank You in Japanese?
In the rich tapestry of Japanese culture, expressing gratitude is a delicate art intertwined with social nuances, relationships, and situational context. In fact, understanding how to say thank you in Japanese is not only a matter of language; it’s an exploration of cultural norms and values. From casual interactions with friends to formal business settings, mastering the art of saying thank you in Japanese is essential for anyone who wishes to embrace Japanese culture and etiquette while improving fluency. So, if you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do you say thank you in Japanese?” and can’t come up with anything other than the infamous “Arigato,” you’re in the right place. Here, we’ll explore the diverse ways of saying thanks in Japanese and teach you 13 options to use in a variety of social settings.
How to Say Thank You in Japanese
Finding the right way to say thank you in Japanese can be difficult, as it usually depends on social status, relationships, and your situation. However, regardless of whether you’re in a formal business setting or expressing gratitude to your friend, learning how to say thank you in Japanese is integral to upholding cultural standards. To help you get started, download Tandem and match with a native speaker. Then, practice these XX ways to say thank you in Japanese
1. ありがとう — Arigato — Thank you
One of the most common ways to say thank you in Japanese is arigato. The arigato meaning is a simple English translation of “thank you” and can be used in many different situations. However, it’s somewhat casual, so you might want to use something more formal in a professional setting. If you’re not sure if it’s appropriate, it’s better to play it safe and stick to the more respected options.
2. ありがとう ございます — Arigato gozaimasu — Thank you (polite)
If you want to say arigato, but with a little more politeness than the shortened version, you can use this phrase. It’s considered to be more polite and respected among older individuals. It’s also more appropriate for work settings, strangers, or people with whom you just started a relationship.3. あざす — Azasu — Thank you (slang)
This slang way to say thank you in Japanese is derived from arigato gozaimasu. How did it come to be; you may ask? Well, it’s basically what arigato gozaimasu sounds like if you say it really, really fast. Since it’s slang, however, keep it casual and among friends and never use it with a respected adult or higher up.4. ありがとう ございました — Arigato gozaimashita — Thank you (past tense)
This is yet another option for enhancing the simple saying of arigato. It’s a way to thank someone for something they have already done or after a service. Essentially, what you’re saying thank you for has been completed and is now in the past.5. サンキュー — Sankyu — Thank you
Does the pronunciation for this one seem a little familiar? That’s because it’s the Japanese version of the English thank you. It’s considered a borrowed phrase and sounds very similar to how you’d say thank you in English, with Japanese pronunciation. However, this is an extremely casual way to say thank you, so keep it for use among friends and close acquaintances.6. すみません — Sumimasen — Excuse me
This is an interesting way to say thank you in Japanese because it technically translates to “excuse me.” It’s still commonly used to express gratitude but can also be used to say sorry. In fact, many Japanese people will apologize rather than thank someone because they may feel like a burden for having had someone do something for them. The culture is deeply rooted in politeness, so sorry and thank you are often intertwined.7. すまない — Sumanai — Excuse me (slang)
This is a slang version of sumimasen that’s used more often among guys than girls. While it’s not really considered a gendered phrase, females using it may come off a bit more abrasive or harsh. Since it’s casual, keep it among close friends.8. 恐れ入ります — Osoreirimasu — Thank you (extremely formal)
This is one of the most formal ways to say thank you in Japanese. In fact, it’s not often heard in conversations, not even in typical office situations. In reality, this is a way to say thank you that should be reserved for higher-ups or very respected individuals in the community. So much so that if you used it amongst friends or family, you’d probably be greeted with a pretty peculiar look.9. どうも — Doumo — Thank you
If you want to keep your thanks short, sweet, and to the point, doumo is the way to go. It’s even more casual than arigato and carries an extremely light tone. Because of this, you only want to use doumo in situations among close friends or even siblings. While some cashiers or restaurant staff are okay with this expression of gratitude, others may consider it rude, so it’s best to play it on the safe side and use something more respected.10. どうも ありがとう — Doumo arigato — Thank you very much
This is the more polite version of doumo. It’s a great way to say thank you very much in Japanese in a more friendly or polite way. You can use this phrase among friends and family or younger generations when you want to express your gratitude for something.11. どうも ありがとう ございます — Doumo arigato gozaimasu — Thank you very much (very polite)
In Japanese, the general rule is that the longer it takes to say something, the more polite it is. As you can see, this phrase is the most elongated form of doumo and is basically an extremely polite way to say thank you very much in Japanese. Sometimes, Japanese speakers even add a bow when saying this phrase to show their extreme gratitude and respect for the other.12. 本当に ありがとう ございます — Hontoni arigato gozaimasu — Really, thank you very much
This is another great option for a polite and semi-formal thank you in Japanese. The “hontoni” is basically a way to say “truly” or “really” and can help add a little something extra to your thanks. While this phrase is a bit less common than other ways to say thanks in Japanese, it will be well received by those you use it with.13. 拝謝申し上げます — Haisha moushiagemasu — Thank you very much
Another way to say thank you very much in Japanese is haisha moushiagemasu. This is a more humble way to show gratitude and is often used to thank someone higher in societal ranking, like an elderly individual. It shows that you respect them and is considered an honorable way of thanking someone while acknowledging that you’re below them.Other Ways to Say Thank You in Japanese
There are even a few nonverbal ways to say thank you in Japanese, as actions tend to speak louder than words in this culture. Two of the most prominent ways to nonverbally thank someone include gift-giving and bowing.Gift-Giving
Gift-giving in Japan is more than a mere exchange of objects; it's a thoughtful, artful expression of appreciation. Many individuals will give small gift exchanges as a way to say thank you, so don’t be surprised if you find your hands full. Just make sure to accept it with both hands, open it later, and show your appreciation to return the favor.Bowing
Bowing in Japanese culture is a profound symbol of respect and gratitude. It's not just a nod of the head; it's a language of its own. Depending on the depth and intensity, bows can range from casual levels of thanks to deep gratitude and respect. You’ll need to keep your back straight and hinge from the waist. The lower you bow, the higher the respect you show. Practice your [numbers in Japanese](https://www.tandem.net/blog/japanese-numbers) and try bowing at じゅうご (15) degrees in casual settings to see how it feels!Applying What You Know
Saying thank you in Japanese transcends words; it is a profound act of respect and appreciation that reflects not only the language but the spirit of Japan. From the informal "ありがとう" (Arigato) that warms the heart of a friend to the more formal "恐れ入ります" (Osoreirimasu) uttered in business settings, each phrase carries its own significance and reflects the intricate web of Japanese society. To help you truly master the art of saying thank you in Japanese, download Tandem today.
Tandem offers a unique language learning experience that will help you master greetings in Japanese, cute Japanese words, and everything in between—all while learning how to apply them in real-life conversations. All you need to do is download the app, sign up, and find a native speaker of your target language. Once you match, you’ll begin communicating through language exchange and one-on-one teaching. To join our worldwide community, sign up for Tandem today!
