How to Say ‘Thank you very much.’ 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: [ありがとうございます] is the polite standard thank-you. It is more formal than [ありがとう].
🇯🇵 In Japan: With strangers, this is the safest and nicest way to show appreciation.
Phrase Breakdown
ありがとう
arigatou
[ah-ree-gah-toh]
thank you
The core casual expression of thanks, often combined with polite endings.
ありがとう、たすかりました。
Thank you, that helped me.
ござい
gozai
[goh-zah-ee]
to exist; polite honorific part
Part of the polite phrase ありがとうございます, adding formality and respect.
ありがとうございます。
Thank you very much.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite ending
A polite verb ending used in formal everyday speech.
まいにちべんきょうします。
I study every day.
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