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 go-zah-ee mahss]
Phrase Breakdown
ありがとう
arigatou
[ah-ree-gah-toh]
thank you
A common expression of thanks, used politely in service situations.
確認してくれて、ありがとうと言いました。
I said thank you for checking.
ござい
gozai
[go-zah-ee]
be; exist politely
Part of the polite phrase ありがとうございます, adding formality and respect.
いつも丁寧に対応してございませんかとは言いません。
You would not say 'gozaimasen ka' in that way even if someone is always polite in service.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite ending
A polite verb ending used in formal speech, including customer service language.
店員さんが詳しく教えてくれます。
The staff member explains it in detail for me.
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