How to Say ‘Thanks’ in Japanese
ありがとう
arigatou
[ah-ree-gah-toh]
💬 Usage Tip: [ありがとう] is the casual "thanks"—great with friends. In more formal settings, pair it with [ございます].
🇯🇵 In Japan: In schools/workplaces, a small bow with [ありがとう] (or the full [ありがとうございます]) is common and feels polite.
Phrase Breakdown
ありがとう
arigatou
[ah-ree-gah-toh]
thank you
A casual/polite “thank you.” Used to express appreciation; often followed by ございます to be more formal.
お休みのご連絡をいただき、ありがとう。
Thank you for contacting us about the day off.
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