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]
💬 Usage Tip: The go-to polite thank you. You can slightly strengthen it with [誠に] (not included here) in very formal settings.
🇯🇵 In Japan: In Japanese interviews, frequent small [ありがとうございます] is normal—thanking for time, explanations, and opportunities shows humility.
Phrase Breakdown
ありがとう
arigatou
[ah-ree-gah-toh]
thank you
Base of the polite expression. With ございます it becomes formal and suitable for business/interviews.
本日は面接の機会をいただきありがとうございます。
Thank you for giving me the opportunity for the interview today.
ござい
gozai
[goh-zah-ee]
(part of) “gozaimasu” (polite ‘to be’)
Makes the phrase polite; used in set form ありがとうございます.
ご説明いただき、ありがとうござい ます。
Thank you for the explanation.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite verb ending; “(it) is/are” (polite)
Completes ございます, forming the standard polite thank-you phrase.
本日はありがとうございます。
Thank you 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 LessonWhat 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