How to Say ‘Thank you.’ 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: Ending with ました puts the thanks in the past, for something that's just finished, like a date that's wrapping up. While it's still going on, say ありがとうございます instead.
Phrase Breakdown
ありがとう
arigatou
[ah-ree-gah-toh]
thank you
A common way to say thank you.
ありがとう、助かります。
Thank you, that helps.
ござい
gozai
[goh-zah-ee]
to exist; polite support word
Part of the polite phrase for thanking someone formally.
本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。
Thank you for giving me your time today.
まし
mashi
[mah-shee]
polite past marker part
まし is part of the polite past ending in ました.
予約をましました。
I made the reservation.
た
ta
[tah]
past tense marker
Indicates past tense.
彼は来た。
He came.
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