How to Say ‘Thank you very much.’ in Japanese
ありがとうございました。
arigatou gozai mashi ta
[ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zah-ee mah-shee tah]
💬 Usage Tip: The ました ending makes it past tense: thanks for something that's now finished. That's why it's the natural thing to say as you leave the counter.
Phrase Breakdown
ありがとう
arigatou
[ah-ree-gah-toh]
thank you (casual base)
The base “thank you.” In formal speech it’s followed by ございます to become polite.
本日はお越しいただきありがとうござい ます。
Thank you for coming today.
ござい
gozai
[goh-zah-ee]
to be; to exist (very polite)
A very polite version of あります, often used by staff in restaurants and hotels.
駐車場がございます。
There is a parking lot.
まし
mashi
[mah-shee]
polite past stem
Part of the polite past ending in a verb phrase.
昨日は多くのことを学びました。
I learned many things yesterday.
た
ta
[tah]
past tense ending
This ending completes the polite past tense form.
空席がございまし た。
There were vacant seats.
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