How to Say ‘Thank you.’ in Japanese
ありがとうございます。
arigatou gozai masu
[ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zah-ee mahss]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is polite and standard with store staff. In quick checkout exchanges, many customers also shorten it to [どうも] or just give a small nod.
Phrase Breakdown
ありがとう
arigatou
[ah-ree-gah-toh]
thank you
The main part of 'thank you very much.' It expresses gratitude.
助けてくれてありがとう。
Thank you for helping me.
ござい
gozai
[goh-zah-ee]
polite honorific part
Part of the polite expression ありがとうございます. It adds formality and politeness.
ありがとうございますのございは丁寧です。
The gozai part in arigatou gozaimasu is polite.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite verb ending
A polite ending often attached to verbs and set expressions.
店員さんが待ちますと言いました。
The clerk said, 'I will wait.'
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