🙏😊👍

How to Say ‘Thank you, that really helped.’ in Japanese

ありがとうございます、助かりました。

arigatou gozai masu tasukari mashi ta

[ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zah-ee mahss tah-SOO-kah-ree mah-shee tah]

🇯🇵 In Japan: Adding 助かりました after thanks tells the person their help actually made a difference. It sounds warmer than ありがとうございます alone.

Phrase Breakdown

ありがとうございます、

arigatou gozai masu

Thank you very much,

The standard polite 'thank you'. Lengthen the 'o' sounds in 'tou' and 'gozai'. The final 'su' is usually whispered, so it sounds like 'arigatou gozaimas'. Pause briefly at the comma.

Example

手伝ってくれて、ありがとうございます。

Thank you for helping me.

Words in this phrase

ありがとう

arigatou

[ah-ree-gah-toh]

thank you

A common way to say thank you.

Example

ありがとう、助かります。

Thank you, that helps.

ござい

gozai

[goh-zah-ee]

to exist; polite support word

Part of the polite phrase for thanking someone formally.

Example

本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。

Thank you for giving me your time today.

ます

masu

[mahss]

polite ending

A polite ending attached to verbs in formal speech.

Example

まだありますか。

Are there still some available?

助かりました。

tasukari mashi ta

that really helped.

Shows that the other person's help made a real difference. Say it softly after the thanks: ta-su-ka-ri-ma-shi-ta, with a light 'su' and 'shi'.

Example

教えてくれて助かりました。

It helped that you told me.

Words in this phrase

助かり

tasukari

[tah-SOO-kah-ree]

to be helped; to be saved (a relief)

Stem of the verb 助かる. It is used to say that something makes things easier for you or is a relief, often as thanks.

Example

キャンセル料がかからないので、本当に助かります。

There's no cancellation fee, so that really helps.

まし

mashi

[mah-shee]

polite past stem

Part of the polite past ending in a verb phrase.

Example

昨日は多くのことを学びました。

I learned many things yesterday.

た

[tah]

past tense ending

This ending completes the polite past tense form.

Example

空席がございました。

There were vacant seats.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”

Mia S., 25, English Teacher

“I hop cities every few months and this is the only app that actually prepares me for living somewhere, not just visiting. Tokyo was the real test — passed with flying colors.”

James O., 28, Remote Worker

“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”

Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager