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]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is the normal polite thank-you in service situations. It's appropriate with restaurant staff and with people you don't know well.
Phrase Breakdown
ありがとう
arigatou
[ah-ree-gah-toh]
thank you
The core expression of thanks. With ございます, it becomes more polite.
ご予約ありがとうございます。
Thank you for your reservation.
ございます
gozai masu
polite auxiliary for gratitude
Makes 'arigatou' into the more polite 'arigatou gozaimasu.'
ありがとうございます。
Thank you very much.
Words in this phrase
ござい
gozai
[goh-zah-ee]
to be; to exist (very polite stem)
Adds politeness and formality to the expression of thanks.
本日はありがとうございます。
Thank you very much for today.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite verb ending
Completes the formal phrase ありがとうございます.
お電話ありがとうございます。
Thank you for your call.
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