How to Say ‘Thank you very much.’ in Japanese
ありがとうございます。
arigatou gozai masu
[arigatou gozai masu]
💬 Usage Tip: [ありがとうございます] is more polite and warmer than a casual thank you. A travel industry classic!
🇯🇵 In Japan: Polite thanks are used frequently in Japan, even for small actions, so hearing and saying [ありがとうございます] often is totally normal.
Phrase Breakdown
ありがとう
arigatou
[arigatou]
thank you
Casual base part of a polite thank-you expression.
ありがとう、とても助かります。
Thank you, that helps a lot.
ござい
gozai
[gozai]
to be / exist (honorific part)
Part of the polite expression ありがとうございます, adding formality.
ありがとうございます、と言いました。
I said, 'Thank you very much.'
ます
masu
[masu]
polite ending
Polite ending that completes the formal thank-you phrase.
本当にありがとうございます。
Thank you very much, truly.
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