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: This is the past form of ありがとうございます, used once something is finished. Staff say it as you leave because the purchase is complete.
Phrase Breakdown
ありがとう
arigatou
[ah-ree-gah-toh]
thank you
A common expression of thanks; the first part of a more polite thank-you phrase.
ありがとう、助かります。
Thank you, that helps.
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 marker
まし is part of the polite past form ました.
働きましたのましは丁寧な過去です。
The 'mashi' in hatarakimashita is polite past.
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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