How do you say "To say thank you" in Japanese?

"To say thank you" in Japanese is "ありがとうと言いたいです". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

💬🙏

How to Say ‘To say thank you’ in Japanese

Q: What does "ありがとうと言いたいです" mean in English?

"ありがとうと言いたいです" means "To say thank you" in English. Usage tip: [ありがとうと] marks the quoted word, [言いたい] means “want to say,” and [です] makes it polite. Natural translation: “I want to say thank you.”

ありがとうと言いたいです

arigatou to ii tai desu

[arigatou to ii tai desu]

💬 Usage Tip: [ありがとうと] marks the quoted word, [言いたい] means “want to say,” and [です] makes it polite. Natural translation: “I want to say thank you.”

🇯🇵 In Japan: Japanese often leaves out the subject when it is obvious. Even without [私は], listeners understand that the speaker means “I want to say thank you.”

Phrase Breakdown

ありがとう

arigatou

[arigatou]

thank you

An expression of gratitude.

Example

みんなにありがとうと言いました。

I said thank you to everyone.

と

[to]

quotation marker

Marks the quoted word or phrase before 言う.

Example

「またね」と言いました。

I said, 'See you.'

言いたい

ii tai

want to say

Potential/want form meaning “want to say.”

Example

本音を言いたいです。

I want to say my true feelings.

Words in this phrase

言い

[ii]

say

The stem of 言う. Combined with たい, it means 'want to say'.

Example

名前を言いたいです。

I want to say my name.

たい

tai

[tai]

want to

Attached to the verb stem to show desire to do that action.

Example

早く帰りたいです。

I want to go home early.

です

desu

[desu]

is / am / are

Polite sentence ending used here after an i-adjective-like expression for politeness.

Example

今日は元気です。

I am well today.

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