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How to Say ‘Thank you for being honest with me.’ in Japanese

正直に言ってくれて、ありがとう。

shoujiki ni itsu te kure te arigatou

[SHOH-jee-kee nee EET teh koo-reh teh ah-ree-gah-toh]

Phrase Breakdown

正直に

shoujiki ni

honestly

This is an adverb made from 正直 (honest) plus に. Stretch the 'shou' sound so it is clearly long.

Example

正直に答えてください。

Please answer honestly.

Words in this phrase

正直

shoujiki

[SHOH-jee-kee]

honest

A na-adjective meaning honest or frank; with に it means 'honestly'.

Example

正直に答えてください。

Please answer honestly.

に

[nee]

(adverb-forming particle)

After a na-adjective, に makes it an adverb.

Example

元気に遊んでいます。

They are playing energetically.

言ってくれて、

itsu te kure te

for telling me

This is the te-form of 言う plus くれる, meaning someone did this for you. The comma marks a natural pause before 'thank you.'

Example

来てくれて、嬉しいです。

I'm glad you came.

Words in this phrase

言っ

itsu

[EET]

say (te-stem)

Stem of 言う used before て.

Example

名前を言ってください。

Please say your name.

て

[teh]

te-form ending

This ending connects actions, like 'cut and...' in instructions.

Example

てをつけると、つぎのどうさにつなげられます。

When you add -te, you can connect it to the next action.

くれ

kure

[koo-reh]

do for someone

From くれる, showing the other person did something for your benefit.

Example

忙しい中来てくれてうれしかったです。

I was happy that you came despite being busy.

て

[teh]

and; -te form

A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.

Example

仕事を探している人と話しました。

I spoke with a person who is looking for work.

ありがとう。

arigatou

thank you

This is a casual 'thank you.' Say each syllable evenly: a-ri-ga-to-u. The final 'ou' is a long 'o.'

Example

手伝ってくれて、ありがとう。

Thanks for helping me.

Words in this phrase

ありがとう

arigatou

[ah-ree-gah-toh]

thanks; thank you (casual)

ありがとう is a casual “thank you.” At a pharmacy, the more polite form is ありがとうございます.

Example

おすすめしてくれて、ありがとう。

Thanks for recommending it.

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