How do you say "Thank you very much." in Japanese?

"Thank you very much." in Japanese is "ありがとうございます。". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

🙏🙇

How to Say ‘Thank you very much.’ in Japanese

Q: What does "ありがとうございます。" mean in English?

"ありがとうございます。" means "Thank you very much." in English. Usage tip: [ありがとうございます] is the standard polite "thank you." Great for talking to massage staff, receptionists, and anyone providing service.

ありがとうございます。

arigatou gozai masu

[arigatou gozai masu]

💬 Usage Tip: [ありがとうございます] is the standard polite "thank you." Great for talking to massage staff, receptionists, and anyone providing service.

🇯🇵 In Japan: Polite thanks are used often in Japan, sometimes more than once during a visit. A quick [ありがとうございます] after an adjustment makes you sound friendly and appreciative.

Phrase Breakdown

ありがとう

arigatou

[arigatou]

thank you

The main word of gratitude in a polite thank-you expression.

Example

丁寧にしてくれてありがとうございます。

Thank you for doing it so carefully.

ございます

gozai masu

polite auxiliary used in thank you

Completes the very polite form ありがとうございます.

Example

ありがとうございます。

Thank you very much.

Words in this phrase

ござい

gozai

[gozai]

to be; polite part of thank you

Adds politeness and formality to ありがとう.

Example

本当にありがとうございます。

Thank you very much indeed.

ます

masu

[masu]

polite verb ending

Formal ending that makes the phrase polite and respectful.

Example

今日はありがとうございます。

Thank you for today.

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 speech recognition to perfect your accent

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Custom Scenarios

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 scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”

Mia S., 25, English Teacher

“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”

Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer

“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