How to Say ‘Thank you very much.’ in Japanese
ありがとうございます。
arigatou gozai masu
[arigatou gozai masu]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is polite and standard with restaurant staff, especially on the phone. In everyday casual speech with friends, people often shorten it to just [ありがとう].
Phrase Breakdown
ありがとう
arigatou
[arigatou]
thank you
The base expression of thanks in a polite phrase.
予約ありがとうございます。
Thank you for the reservation.
ございます
gozai masu
to be; exist (polite auxiliary)
Used in the polite phrase ありがとうございます to make the thanks more formal and respectful.
ありがとうございます。
Thank you very much.
Words in this phrase
ござい
gozai
[gozai]
to be; to exist (very polite)
Adds extra politeness to ありがとう, making it suitable for customers and formal situations.
ありがとうございます。
Thank you very much.
ます
masu
[masu]
polite verb ending
Completes the very polite thank-you expression.
ありがとうございます。
Thank you very much.
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