How to Say ‘Thank you.’ in Japanese
ありがとうございます。
arigatou gozai masu
[ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zah-ee mahss]
💬 Usage Tip: [ありがとうございます] is the polite standard "thank you." Longer than casual [ありがとう], but perfect for staff.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Thanking staff, even for small help, is common and warmly appreciated in Japan.
Phrase Breakdown
ありがとう
arigatou
[ah-ree-gah-toh]
thank you
A common expression of thanks; this is the main thankful part.
ありがとうございます、とおれいをいいます。
You say, “Thank you very much.”
ござい
gozai
[goh-zah-ee]
honorable / polite part of gozaimasu
Part of the very polite expression ありがとうございます.
ありがとうございます、がていねいです。
Arigatou gozaimasu is polite.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite ending
A polite ending used in many formal expressions.
ありがとうございます、をていねいにいいます。
You say arigatou gozaimasu politely.
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