How to Say ‘Thank you so much.’ in Japanese
ほんとうにありがとうございます。
hontou ni arigatou gozai masu
[hohn-toh nee ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zah-ee mahss]
💬 Usage Tip: Adding [ほんとうに] makes [ありがとうございます] feel extra sincere: [Thank you very, very much].
🇯🇵 In Japan: A lovely phrase to use after someone agrees to be photographed or gives you their time.
Phrase Breakdown
ほんとうに
hontou ni
really; truly
An adverb that strengthens the feeling of gratitude or emphasis.
ほんとうにすみません。
I’m really sorry.
Words in this phrase
ほんとう
hontou
[hohn-toh]
truth; real
Here it helps form ほんとうに, meaning truly or really.
ほんとうにありがとうございます。
Thank you very much, truly.
に
ni
[nee]
-ly; in a ... way
Turns ほんとう into the adverb ほんとうに, meaning really or truly.
ほんとうにたすかりました。
That really helped me.
ありがとうございます。
arigatou gozai masu
thank you very much
A polite expression used to express gratitude.
おてつだい、ありがとうございます。
Thank you for your help.
Words in this phrase
ありがとう
arigatou
[ah-ree-gah-toh]
thank you
The main thankful expression in this polite sentence.
ほんとうにありがとう。
Thank you very much, really.
ござい
gozai
[goh-zah-ee]
to exist; polite honorific part
Part of the more formal thank-you phrase.
ありがとうございます。
Thank you very much.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite ending
Adds politeness to the expression of thanks.
いつもありがとうございます。
Thank you always.
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