Hello, I’m Kodak.
How do you say “thank you” in Japanese?
The basic answer is ありがとう (arigatou). In polite situations, say ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu).
However, Japanese has many other ways to express gratitude. The best choice depends on who you are speaking to, how large the favor was, whether the action is complete, and whether the situation is casual, professional, or emotional.
The most useful Japanese ways to say thank you are:
① ありがとう — thanks
② ありがとうございます — thank you (polite)
③ どうもありがとう — thank you very much
④ 本当にありがとう — thank you so much / truly, thank you
⑤ ありがとうございました — thank you for what you did
⑥ どうも — thanks
⑦ 感謝しています — I am grateful
⑧ 感謝いたします — we/I appreciate it (formal)
⑨ あざす / あざっす — thanks / cheers (slang)
⑩ すみません — thank you, and sorry for the trouble
⑪ 助かります — that helps / I appreciate it
⑫ お世話になりました — thank you for all your help
⑬ ごちそうさまでした — thank you for the meal
⑭ お疲れさまでした — thank you for your work / good work
⑮ 心より感謝申し上げます — I sincerely express my gratitude
The safest starting point is simple:
ありがとう for friends and family.
ありがとうございます for strangers, teachers, customers, coworkers, and polite situations.
Then learn the other expressions by connecting them to a specific relationship and situation.
How Do You Say “Thank You” in Japanese?
ありがとう
Arigatou
Thanks / thank youPolite:
ありがとうございます
Arigatou gozaimasu
Thank you
手伝ってくれて、ありがとう。
Tetsudatte kurete, arigatou.
Thanks for helping me.
ご親切にありがとうございます。
Go-shinsetsu ni arigatou gozaimasu.
Thank you for your kindness.
Quick Comparison: Ways to Say Thanks in Japanese
| Japanese | Romaji | Closest English | Politeness / tone | Best situation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ありがとう | arigatou | thanks | Casual | Friends and family |
| ありがとうございます | arigatou gozaimasu | thank you | Polite | Broadly safe |
| どうもありがとう | doumo arigatou | thank you very much | Warm, casual | Friends and familiar people |
| 本当にありがとうございます | hontou ni arigatou gozaimasu | thank you so much | Polite, sincere | Meaningful help |
| ありがとうございました | arigatou gozaimashita | thank you for what you did | Polite, completed action | After a lesson, visit, or service |
| どうも | doumo | thanks | Brief, context-dependent | Small favors |
| 感謝しています | kansha shite imasu | I am grateful | Reflective, heartfelt | Ongoing gratitude |
| 感謝いたします | kansha itashimasu | we appreciate it | Formal | Business and announcements |
| あざす | azasu | thanks / cheers | Slang | Close casual groups |
| すみません | sumimasen | thank you, and sorry | Polite, indebted tone | Someone inconvenienced themselves for you |
| 助かります | tasukarimasu | that helps / I appreciate it | Polite, practical | Requests and assistance |
| お世話になりました | osewa ni narimashita | thank you for all your help | Polite, relationship-based | Farewells and completed support |
| ごちそうさまでした | gochisousama deshita | thank you for the meal | Standard | After eating |
| お疲れさまでした | otsukaresama deshita | good work / thank you for your effort | Workplace or team-based | After shared work |
| 心より感謝申し上げます | kokoro yori kansha moushiagemasu | we sincerely appreciate | Very formal | Speeches and formal writing |
1. ありがとう (Arigatou): The Basic Casual “Thanks”
ありがとう is the basic Japanese expression of thanks. It is natural with friends, family, partners, classmates, children, and people with whom you have a relaxed relationship.
Politeness: casual
Writing: ありがとう
Romaji: arigatou / arigatō / simplified arigato
来てくれてありがとう。
Kite kurete arigatou.
Thanks for coming.
プレゼント、ありがとう！
Purezento, arigatou!
Thanks for the present!
いつもありがとう。
Itsumo arigatou.
Thank you for everything you always do.
ありがとう developed from a form of the adjective ありがたい, originally connected with something being difficult to have or rare, and therefore worthy of gratitude.
2. ありがとうございます (Arigatou Gozaimasu): Polite “Thank You”
ありがとうございます is the standard polite expression. It is the best default when speaking to someone you do not know well.
・strangers
・teachers
・customers and service staff
・coworkers and supervisors
・older people
・people helping you in a polite setting
教えていただき、ありがとうございます。
Oshiete itadaki, arigatou gozaimasu.
Thank you for explaining it to me.
お待ちいただき、ありがとうございます。
O-machi itadaki, arigatou gozaimasu.
Thank you for waiting.
ご連絡ありがとうございます。
Go-renraku arigatou gozaimasu.
Thank you for contacting me.
For a detailed sound guide, see Arigatou Gozaimasu Pronunciation: How to Say ありがとうございます Correctly.
How to Pronounce ありがとうございます
a-ri-ga-to-u｜go-za-i-ma-su
The とう in ありがとう contains a long ō sound. The final u in ます may sound very light in natural speech.
3. どうもありがとう: “Thank You Very Much”
どうも strengthens the expression of gratitude when placed before ありがとう.
Thank you very much. (casual or familiar)どうもありがとうございます。
Thank you very much. (polite)
今日はどうもありがとう。
Kyō wa doumo arigatou.
Thank you very much for today.
わざわざ来ていただき、どうもありがとうございます。
Wazawaza kite itadaki, doumo arigatou gozaimasu.
Thank you very much for coming all this way.
4. 本当にありがとう: “Thank You So Much”
本当に (hontou ni) means “really” or “truly.” It makes the gratitude sound sincere and emotionally clear.
Thank you so much. (casual)本当にありがとうございます。
Thank you so much. (polite)
ずっと支えてくれて、本当にありがとう。
Zutto sasaete kurete, hontou ni arigatou.
Thank you so much for always supporting me.
ご親切に、本当にありがとうございます。
Go-shinsetsu ni, hontou ni arigatou gozaimasu.
Thank you so much for your kindness.
本当に often sounds more personal and heartfelt than simply adding どうも.
5. ありがとうございました: Thanking Someone After an Action
ありがとうございました is the past polite form. It is commonly used when the action, service, visit, lesson, event, or relationship period is viewed as complete.
Thank you for what is happening now or has just happened.ありがとうございました
Thank you for what you did / thank you for the completed experience.
今日はありがとうございました。
Kyō wa arigatou gozaimashita.
Thank you for today.
ご来店ありがとうございました。
Go-raiten arigatou gozaimashita.
Thank you for visiting our store.
一年間ご指導いただき、ありがとうございました。
Ichinenkan go-shidō itadaki, arigatou gozaimashita.
Thank you for teaching and guiding me over the past year.
6. どうも (Doumo): A Brief “Thanks”
どうも can stand alone as a short expression of thanks. It is useful for small favors, but it can sound brief, understated, or slightly casual depending on the delivery.
・someone hands you something
・someone holds a door
・a familiar shop worker helps you briefly
・you want a quick, low-key “thanks”
どうも。助かりました。
Doumo. Tasukarimashita.
Thanks. That was helpful.
あ、どうも。
A, doumo.
Oh, thanks.
Because どうも can also be part of greetings, apologies, and other expressions, the exact meaning comes from context.
7. 感謝しています (Kansha Shite Imasu): “I Am Grateful”
感謝する means to feel or express gratitude. Unlike a quick ありがとう, it often describes a deeper or continuing feeling.
I am grateful / I appreciate it感謝します
I express my gratitude / I appreciate it心から感謝しています
I am grateful from the bottom of my heart
いつも支えてくれる家族に感謝しています。
Itsumo sasaete kureru kazoku ni kansha shite imasu.
I am grateful to my family for always supporting me.
この機会をいただけたことに感謝しています。
Kono kikai o itadaketa koto ni kansha shite imasu.
I am grateful for having been given this opportunity.
For grammar, particles, conjugations, and formal examples, see How to Use 感謝する (Kansha Suru) in Japanese.
ありがとう vs 感謝する
| Expression | Main function | Natural tone |
|---|---|---|
| ありがとう | Directly says thanks to someone | Immediate and conversational |
| ありがとうございます | Directly says thanks politely | Polite and broadly natural |
| 感謝する | Describes or formally expresses gratitude | Reflective, heartfelt, written, or formal |
8. 感謝いたします: Formal “We Appreciate It”
感謝いたします uses the humble verb いたす instead of する. It appears in business communication, official statements, speeches, and announcements.
皆様のご協力に感謝いたします。
Minasama no go-kyōryoku ni kansha itashimasu.
We appreciate everyone’s cooperation.
迅速なご対応に感謝いたします。
Jinsoku na go-taiō ni kansha itashimasu.
We appreciate your prompt response.
In an ordinary business email, ご対応いただき、ありがとうございます may sound warmer and less ceremonial.
9. あざす / あざっす: Japanese Slang for “Thanks”
あざす, あざっす, and あざーす are highly casual reductions of ありがとうございます.
Quick and clippedあざっす
Energetic, rough, or team-likeあざーす
Drawn-out, playful, or comedic
手伝いあざっす！
Tetsudai azassu!
Thanks for the help!
フォローあざす。
Forō azasu.
Thanks for the follow.
These forms are appropriate only in close, relaxed groups. They are not polite simply because they came from a polite phrase.
For detailed usage and social cautions, see What Does あざす (Azasu) Mean in Japanese Slang?
10. すみません: “Thank You, and Sorry for the Trouble”
すみません is widely known as “excuse me” or “I’m sorry,” but it can also express gratitude when someone has inconvenienced themselves or gone out of their way for you.
“You did something for me, and I feel sorry that I caused you trouble or effort.”Natural English translations may be:
・Thank you.
・That is very kind of you.
・Sorry to trouble you, and thank you.
席を譲っていただいて、すみません。
Seki o yuzutte itadaite, sumimasen.
Thank you for giving me your seat.
わざわざ来ていただいて、すみません。ありがとうございます。
Wazawaza kite itadaite, sumimasen. Arigatou gozaimasu.
Thank you for coming all this way. I really appreciate it.
11. 助かります (Tasukarimasu): “That Helps” or “I Appreciate It”
助かります literally means “I will be helped” or “that will save me.” It often functions as an indirect expression of appreciation.
It would help if you could…ありがとうございます。助かります。
Thank you. That really helps.助かりました。
That was a great help.
明日までに送っていただけると助かります。
Ashita made ni okutte itadakeru to tasukarimasu.
I would appreciate it if you could send it by tomorrow.
代わりに対応してくれて助かりました。
Kawari ni taiō shite kurete tasukarimashita.
It was a great help that you handled it for me.
助かります emphasizes the practical benefit. It is often paired with ありがとうございます rather than replacing it completely.
12. お世話になりました: “Thank You for All Your Help”
お世話になりました expresses gratitude for care, guidance, support, or an ongoing relationship that is now being looked back on.
・leaving a workplace or school
・finishing a stay with a host family
・thanking a teacher, mentor, or team
・ending a project or period of support
三年間、大変お世話になりました。
Sannenkan, taihen osewa ni narimashita.
Thank you very much for all your help over the past three years.
滞在中はお世話になりました。
Taizaichū wa osewa ni narimashita.
Thank you for taking care of me during my stay.
This is not a direct dictionary equivalent of “thank you,” but it is one of the most important Japanese expressions of relationship-based gratitude.
13. ごちそうさまでした: Thanking Someone for a Meal
Say ごちそうさまでした after eating. It acknowledges the food and the effort of the people who prepared, served, or paid for it.
いただきますAfter eating:
ごちそうさまでした
ごちそうさまでした。とてもおいしかったです。
Gochisousama deshita. Totemo oishikatta desu.
Thank you for the meal. It was delicious.
今日はごちそうさまでした。
Kyō wa gochisousama deshita.
Thank you for treating me today.
When someone pays for your meal, you can also add ありがとうございました.
14. お疲れさまでした: Appreciating Someone’s Effort
お疲れさまでした literally acknowledges that someone must be tired after their effort. In workplaces and teams, it often functions like “good work,” “thanks for your effort,” or “thanks for today.”
Used during work, as a workplace greeting, or to acknowledge current effort.お疲れさまでした。
Used after work, a meeting, an event, or a completed task.
今日はお疲れさまでした。
Kyō wa otsukaresama deshita.
Good work today / Thanks for your work today.
長時間の作業、お疲れさまでした。
Chōjikan no sagyō, otsukaresama deshita.
Thank you for your hard work over such a long period.
It is not a universal substitute for ありがとう. Use it to acknowledge effort within a shared work, club, or team context.
15. 心より感謝申し上げます: Very Formal Gratitude
心より感謝申し上げます means “I/we sincerely express my/our gratitude.” It is appropriate in formal letters, speeches, official announcements, and ceremonial messages.
皆様の温かいご支援に、心より感謝申し上げます。
Minasama no atatakai go-shien ni, kokoro yori kansha moushiagemasu.
We sincerely appreciate everyone’s warm support.
多大なるご尽力に深く感謝申し上げます。
Taidai naru go-jinryoku ni fukaku kansha moushiagemasu.
We extend our deepest gratitude for your considerable efforts.
This expression is too formal for an ordinary favor such as holding a door or giving directions.
How to Say Thank You by Situation
To a Friend
Thanks.本当にありがとう。
Thank you so much.助かった、ありがとう！
That really helped—thanks!
To a Stranger
Thank you.どうもありがとうございます。
Thank you very much.すみません、ありがとうございます。
Sorry to trouble you—thank you.
To a Teacher or Superior
Thank you for teaching/explaining it to me.いつもご指導いただき、ありがとうございます。
Thank you for your continued guidance.大変お世話になりました。
Thank you very much for all your help.
In a Business Email
Thank you for contacting me.迅速にご対応いただき、ありがとうございます。
Thank you for your prompt response.皆様のご協力に感謝いたします。
We appreciate everyone’s cooperation.
After Receiving Major Help
Thank you so much. You were a great help.支えてくださったことに心から感謝しています。
I am deeply grateful for your support.何とお礼を言えばいいか分かりません。
I do not know how to thank you.
In an Online Game or Casual Chat
Thanks!助かった！
That saved me!回復あざす！
Thanks for the heal! (slang)
After a Meal
Thank you for the meal.今日はごちそうさまでした。ありがとうございました。
Thank you for treating me today.
How to Say “Thank You for…” in Japanese
Japanese often uses the て-form + くれて / くださって / いただき before a thank-you expression.
Casual: ～てくれてありがとう
Thanks for doing…
来てくれてありがとう。
Kite kurete arigatou.
Thanks for coming.
話を聞いてくれてありがとう。
Hanashi o kiite kurete arigatou.
Thanks for listening to me.
Polite: ～てくださってありがとうございます
Thank you for kindly doing…
来てくださってありがとうございます。
Kite kudasatte arigatou gozaimasu.
Thank you for coming.
Formal and Compact: ～ていただきありがとうございます
Thank you for doing…
ご確認いただき、ありがとうございます。
Go-kakunin itadaki, arigatou gozaimasu.
Thank you for checking.
ご参加いただき、ありがとうございました。
Go-sanka itadaki, arigatou gozaimashita.
Thank you for participating.
How to Say “Thank You So Much” in Japanese
Thank you so much. (casual)本当にありがとうございます。
Thank you so much. (polite)どうもありがとうございます。
Thank you very much.心から感謝しています。
I am grateful from the bottom of my heart.何とお礼を言えばいいか分かりません。
I cannot thank you enough.
How to Say “No, Thank You” in Japanese
Japanese does not always use a direct equivalent of English “No, thank you.” The natural expression depends on the situation.
No, thank you. / I am fine.
⇒ Polite but can sound firm大丈夫です。ありがとうございます。
I’m okay, thank you.
⇒ Common and softer in many everyday situationsお気持ちだけいただきます。
I appreciate the thought.
⇒ Politely declining an offer or gift in some contexts
How to Respond to “Thank You” in Japanese
You’re welcome.
⇒ Standard textbook response; can sound formal in casual conversationいえいえ。
Not at all / no problem.
⇒ Natural and modestとんでもないです。
Not at all.
⇒ Polite and modestこちらこそ、ありがとうございます。
No, thank you.
⇒ Returning the gratitude気にしないで。
Don’t worry about it.
⇒ Casual
どうぞ。
You’re welcome / here you go.
⇒ Suitable in some service or giving contexts
Regional Way to Say Thanks: おおきに
おおきに (ookini) is associated especially with the Kansai region. It can mean “thank you” or “thanks,” although its usage and naturalness vary by speaker and locality.
おおきに！
Ookini!
Thanks!
Learners should recognize it, but using standard ありがとう or ありがとうございます is safer unless they are familiar with the local speech community.
Common Mistakes When Saying Thank You in Japanese
Mistake 1: Using ありがとう with Everyone
ありがとう may sound too casual when speaking to customers, unfamiliar older people, teachers, or superiors.
ありがとう。Teacher or stranger:
ありがとうございます。
Mistake 2: Thinking ございます Simply Means “Very”
ございます raises politeness. It is not merely an intensifier meaning “very.”
Mistake 3: Using 感謝します for Tiny Favors
○ ありがとうございます。
△ 感謝します。 — overly formal
Mistake 4: Using あざす Because It Sounds Native
Slang is natural only when the relationship is natural. With a client or unfamiliar senior, あざす can sound careless.
Mistake 5: Treating お疲れさま as a Universal “Thank You”
お疲れさま acknowledges work or effort within a shared group. It is not used for every favor.
Mistake 6: Confusing すみません with Only an Apology
In the right context, すみません can express gratitude mixed with a feeling of having caused someone trouble.
Mistake 7: Translating Every English “Appreciate” as 感謝する
⇒ ご協力に感謝します。I appreciate art.
⇒ 芸術の良さが分かります。
× 芸術に感謝します。
Example Dialogues: Choosing the Right Thank-You
Dialogue 1: A friend helps you move
A: この箱、運んでおいたよ。
Kono hako, hakonde oita yo.
I moved this box for you.
B: 助かった！ 本当にありがとう。
Tasukatta! Hontou ni arigatou.
That really helped! Thank you so much.
⇒ Casual, warm, and sincere.
Dialogue 2: A stranger gives directions
A: 駅はこの道をまっすぐです。
Eki wa kono michi o massugu desu.
The station is straight down this road.
B: ありがとうございます。助かりました。
Arigatou gozaimasu. Tasukarimashita.
Thank you. That was very helpful.
⇒ Polite and natural.
Dialogue 3: Someone gives up a train seat
A: どうぞ、座ってください。
Douzo, suwatte kudasai.
Please, have a seat.
B: すみません。ありがとうございます。
Sumimasen. Arigatou gozaimasu.
That is very kind of you. Thank you.
⇒ すみません acknowledges the trouble; ありがとうございます states the gratitude clearly.
Dialogue 4: Casual online game
A: 回復するね。
Kaifuku suru ne.
I’ll heal you.
B: 回復あざす！
Kaifuku azasu!
Thanks for the heal!
⇒ Slang fits the fast, casual setting.
Dialogue 5: Leaving a school or workplace
A: 今まで本当にお世話になりました。
Ima made hontou ni osewa ni narimashita.
Thank you so much for everything you have done for me.
B: こちらこそ、ありがとうございました。
Kochira koso, arigatou gozaimashita.
No, thank you.
⇒ Natural relationship-based gratitude at the end of a period.
FAQ: How to Say Thank You in Japanese
What is the Japanese word for thank you?
The basic expression is ありがとう (arigatou). The standard polite form is ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu).
How do you say thank you very much in Japanese?
Say どうもありがとうございます or 本当にありがとうございます. The second often sounds especially sincere and personal.
What is the difference between arigatou and arigatou gozaimasu?
ありがとう is casual. ありがとうございます is polite and safer with strangers, teachers, customers, coworkers, and older people.
What is the difference between arigatou gozaimasu and arigatou gozaimashita?
ありがとうございます thanks someone for a current or recent action. ありがとうございました often looks back on a completed action, service, event, or period.
How do you say thanks casually in Japanese?
Use ありがとう. In very close slang-heavy groups, you may hear あざす or あざっす.
How do you say thank you formally in Japanese?
Depending on the level of formality, use ありがとうございます, 感謝いたします, or 心より感謝申し上げます.
Is doumo a way to say thank you?
Yes. どうも can function as a brief “thanks,” although its tone is shorter and more context-dependent than ありがとうございます.
Why do Japanese people say sumimasen when they mean thank you?
It can express gratitude mixed with a sense that the other person went to trouble or inconvenienced themselves. Adding ありがとうございます makes the gratitude explicit.
What does kansha suru mean?
感謝する means to feel or express gratitude. It is often more reflective, formal, or written than a direct ありがとう.
What does azasu mean?
あざす is slang meaning “thanks.” It is a heavily shortened form of ありがとうございます and should be used only in close casual groups.
How do you say thank you for your help in Japanese?
Use 助けてくれてありがとう casually, 助けていただきありがとうございます politely, or ご協力に感謝いたします formally.
How do you say thank you for the food in Japanese?
Say ごちそうさまでした after eating. You can add ありがとうございました when someone cooked or paid for the meal.
How do you say you’re welcome in Japanese?
どういたしまして is the standard response. In everyday conversation, いえいえ, とんでもないです, or こちらこそ may sound more natural.
Can I say arigatou to a teacher?
It may sound too casual unless the relationship is very close. ありがとうございます is safer.
What is the most polite way to say thank you in Japanese?
For ordinary polite situations, use ありがとうございます. In highly formal writing or speeches, use expressions such as 心より感謝申し上げます.
Summary: Which Japanese Thank-You Should You Use?
ありがとう● The safest polite choice
ありがとうございます● To say “thank you very much”
どうもありがとうございます
本当にありがとうございます● After a completed lesson, visit, or service
ありがとうございました● For an ongoing or heartfelt feeling
感謝しています
● In formal business language
感謝いたします
心より感謝申し上げます
● In very casual slang
あざす / あざっす
● When someone went to trouble for you
すみません、ありがとうございます
● To acknowledge practical help
助かります / 助かりました
● To thank someone for long-term support
お世話になりました
● After a meal
ごちそうさまでした
● To appreciate shared work or effort
お疲れさまでした
You do not need to memorize every expression at once.
Start with this three-level system:
ありがとう — casual
ありがとうございます — polite
本当にありがとうございます — polite and heartfelt
Then add the situation-specific expressions as you encounter them.
References
- Kotobank: 有難う — meaning, formation from ありがたい, and the use of ございます for polite speech.
- Kotobank: どうも — includes its use in greetings expressing gratitude or apology.
- Kotobank: 感謝 — gratitude and the act of expressing thankful feelings.
- The Japan Foundation, Irodori Starter: Lesson 1 — notes the use of すみません and ありがとう（ございます）in learner communication.
- Imidas: あざーす — describes the slang form as a reduction of ありがとうございます.
- 日本語俗語辞書: アザス — casual variants including あざす and あざーっす.