📅🙏

How to Say ‘Thank you for today.’ in Japanese

今日はありがとうございました。

kyou wa arigatou gozai mashi ta

[kyoh wah ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zah-ee mah-shee tah]

🇯🇵 In Japan: Thanking colleagues, especially seniors who may have paid, at the end of the night is expected, and many people say it again the next morning at work.

Phrase Breakdown

今日は

kyou wa

for today

今日 (kyou) means 'today'. は is read 'wa'. Pause lightly after it.

Example

今日は休みです。

Today is my day off.

Words in this phrase

今日

kyou

[kyoh]

today

The current day.

Example

今日のコンサートは満席です。

Today's concert is full.

は

[wah]

topic marker

は marks the topic of the sentence.

Example

空席はありますか。

Are there any seats available?

ありがとうございました。

arigatou gozai mashi ta

thank you very much

Polite past thanks for the time you shared. Keep the final 'ta' clear.

Example

ご協力ありがとうございました。

Thank you for your cooperation.

Words in this phrase

ありがとう

arigatou

[ah-ree-gah-toh]

thank you

A common way to say thank you.

Example

ありがとう、助かります。

Thank you, that helps.

ござい

gozai

[goh-zah-ee]

to exist; polite support word

Part of the polite phrase for thanking someone formally.

Example

本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。

Thank you for giving me your time today.

まし

mashi

[mah-shee]

polite past stem

Part of the polite past ending in a verb phrase.

Example

昨日は多くのことを学びました。

I learned many things yesterday.

た

[tah]

past tense ending

This ending completes the polite past tense form.

Example

空席がございました。

There were vacant seats.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”

Mia S., 25, English Teacher

“I hop cities every few months and this is the only app that actually prepares me for living somewhere, not just visiting. Tokyo was the real test — passed with flying colors.”

James O., 28, Remote Worker

“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”

Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager