Want to say “Thank you” in Japanese?
Are you visiting or living in Japan now and want to express your appreciation in Japanese?
Or do you want to thank Japanese friends or friends in Japanese?
Many Japanese know the word “Thank you", but it’s natural that you want to say that in Japanese.
Here are some example phrases.
Example phrases to say “Thank you" in Japanese
The basic wording is as follows:
Arigatou.
ありがとう（Thank you）
Arigatou gozaimasu.
ありがとうございます（Thank you very much）
Arigatou gozaimashita.
ありがとうございました（Thank you very much.）
Doumo arigatou gozaimasu
Doumo arigatou.
どうもありがとう（Thank you）
Doumo arigatou gozaimasu.
どうもありがとうございます（Thank you very much）
Doumo arigatou gozaimashita.
どうもありがとうございました（Thank you very much.）
It is casual to say “arigatou" alone. It can be used between friends and family.
If you add “gozaimasu（ございます）" to this phrase, it will change to a polite language.
“Gozaimasu" is the present tense and “gozaimashita（ございました）" is the past tense. You can use the past tense version when you want to thank someone for what has already happened, but some Japanese still prefer to use the present tense. Because it could sound that they still feel grateful.
“Doumo（どうも）" is often preceded by “arigatou". It is said that doing this will make the expression of gratitude even stronger, but many Japanese seem to use it without any particular awareness.
The expression means a strong appreciation, but it is a casual phrase and is therefore not often used in business situations.
As will be described later, “doumo" itself is sometimes used as a casual word of thanks.
Maido arigatou gozaimasu.
Maido arigatou gozaimasu.
毎度ありがとうございます。
“Maido” means “always”.
You might think that it should be used in the business scene, but this is also a casual phrase.
This is used in places like shopping malls (grocers, fish shops, liquor stores, etc.).
In such stores, shop owners and employees often omit “arigatou gozaimasu" and just say “maido（毎度）!" or “maidoari（毎度あり）!"
Itsumo arigatou gozaimasu.
Itsumo arigatou gozaimasu.
いつもありがとうございます。
This is the same meaning as “Maido arigatou gozaimasu". “Itsumo（いつも）” means “always”.
It is an expression often used in the business scene.
Makoto ni arigatou gozaimasu.
Makoto ni arigatou gozaimasu.
誠にありがとうございます。
This is the most polite expression that uses “arigatou".
“Makoto ni（誠に）" means “really, sincerely, etc.".
Casual expressions of “arigatou"
The casual ways of using “arigatou” that are often heard in Japan are as follows:
Arigato
ありがと
Arigato ne
ありがとね
Angato
あんがと
Angato ne
あんがとね
Arigato san
ありがとさん
Azasu
あざす（slang which shortened “arigatou gozaimasu" used among young people）
Azassu
あざっす（same as above）
Doumo
どうも
Doumo ne
どうもね
Domo
ども
Sankusu (thanks)
サンクス
Example sentences using “arigatou"
Kyou wa atte kurete arigatou.
今日は会ってくれてありがとう。
Thank you for meeting today.
Adobaisu wo site kurete arigatou.
アドバイスをしてくれてありがとう。
Thanks for the advice.
Isogashii noni tetsudatte kurete arigatou.
忙しいのに手伝ってくれてありがとう。
Thank you for helping me while you are busy.
Hagemashi no kotoba wo takusan kurete arigatou.
励ましの言葉をたくさんくれてありがとう。
Thanks for the words of encouragement.
Suteki na purezento wo okutte kudasatte arigatou.
素敵なプレゼントを贈ってくださってありがとう。
Thank you for giving me a nice present.
Tasukete kurete arigatou.
助けてくれてありがとう。
Thank you for your help.
Totemo tasukarimashita. Arigatou gozaimasu.
とても助かりました。ありがとうございます。
It was very helpful. Thank you very much.
Tokubetsu ni torihakaratte kudasatte arigatou gozaimasu.
特別に取り計らってくださってありがとうございます。
Thank you for your special arrangement.
Watashitachi no purojekuto ni gokyouryoku kudasatte arigatou gozaimasu.
私たちのプロジェクトにご協力くださってありがとうございます。
Thank you for helping with our project.
Abunai tokoro wo tasukete kudasatte arigatou gozaimasu.
危ないところを助けてくださってありがとうございます。
Thank you for helping me in a dangerous situation.
Shoutai shite kurete arigatou. (casual)
招待してくれてありがとう。
Goshoutai kudasatte arigatou gozaimasu. (polite)
ご招待くださってありがとうございます。
Goshoutai itadaki arigatou gozaimasu. (polite)
ご招待いただきありがとうございます。
Thank you for inviting me.
Mendou wo kakete shimatte sumimasendeshita. Tasukarimashita. Arigatou gozaimasu.
面倒をかけてしまってすみませんでした。助かりました。ありがとうございます。
Sorry for causing you some trouble. It was helpful. Thank you very much.
Wazawaza kite kudasatte arigatou gozaimasu.
わざわざ来てくださってありがとうございます。
Thank you for coming all the way.
Sassoku no gohenji, arigatou gozaimashita.
早速のご返事、ありがとうございました。
Thank you for your prompt reply.
Suteki na purezento wo arigatou gozaimashita
素敵なプレゼントをありがとうございました。
Thank you for the wonderful present.
Oishii shokuji wo arigatou gozaimashita.
美味しい食事をありがとうございました。
Thank you for a delicious meal.
Renraku shite kurete arigatou.(casual)
連絡してくれてありがとう。
Renraku shite kudasatte arigatou gozaimasu. (polite)
連絡してくださってありがとうございます。
Gorenraku itadaki arigatou gozaimasu.(more polite)
ご連絡いただきありがとうございます。
Thank you for contacting us.
Totemo subarashii omotenashi ni kansha no kimochi de ippai desu.
とても素晴らしいおもてなしに感謝の気持ちでいっぱいです。
I am very grateful for the wonderful hospitality.
Tokubetsu na otorihakarai ni orei no kotoba mo mitsukarimasen.
特別なお取り計らいに、お礼の言葉も見つかりません。
I don’t know what to say to you about the special arrangement that you made for me.
Tasukete kudasatte totemo kansha shite imasu.
助けてくださってとても感謝しています。
I am very grateful for your help.
Kyou wa anata ga ite yokatta. On ni kiru yo.
今日はあなたがいてよかった。恩に着るよ。
I’m glad you are here today. I am grateful.