Hello, I’m Kodak.
感謝する (kansha suru) means “to feel or express gratitude,” “to be grateful,” or “to appreciate” someone’s help, kindness, support, or a fortunate situation.
It is useful in heartfelt messages, speeches, writing, and business Japanese. However, it is usually more formal and reflective than simply saying ありがとう.
① what 感謝する (kansha suru) means
② how to pronounce and conjugate it
③ how to use 人に感謝する and ことに感謝する
④ how to say “I appreciate your help” naturally
⑤ the difference between 感謝する, ありがとう, ありがたい, and 感激する
⑥ polite and business expressions such as 感謝いたします and 感謝申し上げます
⑦ common mistakes and natural example sentences
Today’s Japanese expression is 感謝する (kansha suru)!
It combines the noun 感謝 (gratitude) with する (to do).
Its core image is recognizing something as valuable and feeling thankful for it.
What Does 感謝する (Kansha Suru) Mean?
⇒ to be grateful
⇒ to feel gratitude
⇒ to express thanks
⇒ to appreciate someone’s help or kindness
家族に感謝しています。
Kazoku ni kansha shite imasu.
I am grateful to my family.
皆さんのご協力に感謝します。
Minasan no go-kyōryoku ni kansha shimasu.
I appreciate everyone’s cooperation.
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.
Pronunciation and Writing of 感謝する
Hiragana: かんしゃする
Romaji: kansha suru
Mora: か・ん・しゃ・す・る (5 morae)
Meaning: to be grateful / to appreciate
How to Pronounce かんしゃ
Break the word into the following morae:
ka｜n｜sha
The small ゃ combines with し to form one mora, しゃ (sha). Do not pronounce it as two separate beats, shi-ya.
The ん is one full mora. Give it a brief beat before moving to しゃ.
感謝 Is a Noun and 感謝する Is a Suru Verb
感謝 is a noun meaning gratitude. Adding する turns it into a verb meaning to feel or express gratitude.
gratitude / appreciation感謝する
to be grateful / to appreciate
感謝の気持ち
a feeling of gratitude
感謝を伝える
to express one’s gratitude
感謝の気持ちを忘れないでください。
Kansha no kimochi o wasurenaide kudasai.
Please do not forget to be grateful.
言葉で感謝を伝えたい。
Kotoba de kansha o tsutaetai.
I want to express my gratitude in words.
Basic Pattern 1: 人に感謝する — Be Grateful to Someone
Use the particle に to mark the person or group receiving your gratitude.
両親に感謝しています。
Ryōshin ni kansha shite imasu.
I am grateful to my parents.
支えてくれた仲間に感謝したい。
Sasaete kureta nakama ni kansha shitai.
I want to thank the friends who supported me.
応援してくださった皆様に、心から感謝します。
Ōen shite kudasatta minasama ni, kokoro kara kansha shimasu.
I sincerely thank everyone who supported me.
Basic Pattern 2: 物事に感謝する — Be Grateful for Something
The particle に can also mark the help, opportunity, situation, experience, or good fortune for which you are grateful.
皆さんのご協力に感謝しています。
Minasan no go-kyōryoku ni kansha shite imasu.
I appreciate everyone’s cooperation.
この出会いに感謝しています。
Kono deai ni kansha shite imasu.
I am grateful for this encounter.
健康でいられることに感謝しています。
Kenkō de irareru koto ni kansha shite imasu.
I am grateful that I am able to remain healthy.
毎日の小さな幸せに感謝する。
Mainichi no chiisana shiawase ni kansha suru.
To be grateful for the small joys of everyday life.
Basic Pattern 3: ～してくれたことに感謝する
To thank someone for a specific action, turn the action into a noun phrase with こと.
[Person] が + Verb-てくれた + ことに + 感謝する
to be grateful that someone did something for you
彼が助けてくれたことに感謝しています。
Kare ga tasukete kureta koto ni kansha shite imasu.
I am grateful that he helped me.
皆さんが温かく迎えてくださったことに感謝します。
Minasan ga atatakaku mukaete kudasatta koto ni kansha shimasu.
I am grateful that everyone welcomed me warmly.
最後まで話を聞いてくれたことに感謝している。
Saigo made hanashi o kiite kureta koto ni kansha shite iru.
I appreciate that you listened to me until the end.
Basic Pattern 4: ～に対して感謝する
～に対して explicitly marks the target of gratitude. It is useful in formal writing and when the sentence contains a long or complex noun phrase.
長年のご支援に対して、深く感謝いたします。
Naganen no go-shien ni taishite, fukaku kansha itashimasu.
We are deeply grateful for your many years of support.
親切にしてくれた人々に対して感謝の気持ちを持っている。
Shinsetsu ni shite kureta hitobito ni taishite kansha no kimochi o motte iru.
I feel grateful toward the people who were kind to me.
In simple sentences, plain に is often more natural and concise.
皆さんに感謝しています。More explicit or formal:
皆さんに対して感謝しています。
Basic Pattern 5: ～への感謝
When 感謝 is used as a noun, への can connect it to the person or thing receiving the gratitude.
gratitude toward / gratitude for
家族への感謝を手紙に書いた。
Kazoku e no kansha o tegami ni kaita.
I wrote about my gratitude to my family in a letter.
皆様への感謝の気持ちをお伝えします。
Minasama e no kansha no kimochi o otsutae shimasu.
I would like to express my gratitude to everyone.
自然への感謝を忘れてはいけない。
Shizen e no kansha o wasurete wa ikenai.
We must not forget our gratitude for nature.
Conjugations of 感謝する
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 感謝する | to be grateful |
| Polite | 感謝します | am grateful / appreciate |
| Past | 感謝した | felt or expressed gratitude |
| Continuing state | 感謝している | am grateful |
| Polite continuing state | 感謝しています | am grateful / remain grateful |
| Negative | 感謝しない | do not appreciate / are not grateful |
| Desire | 感謝したい | want to thank |
| Conditional | 感謝すれば | if one is grateful |
| Passive | 感謝される | to be thanked / appreciated |
感謝します vs 感謝しています
Both forms are correct, but their focus differs.
Expresses gratitude at this moment
Often used in speeches, announcements, or formal statements感謝しています
Describes an ongoing feeling of gratitude
Often warmer, more personal, and reflective
本日のご参加に感謝します。
Honjitsu no go-sanka ni kansha shimasu.
We thank you for your participation today.
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.
How to Say “I Appreciate Your Help” in Japanese
There is no single translation that fits every situation.
Natural choices by situation
助けてくれてありがとう。
Thanks for helping me.
⇒ Natural with friends and people close to you
助けていただき、ありがとうございます。
Thank you for helping me.
⇒ Polite and natural in conversation
ご協力に感謝いたします。
We appreciate your cooperation.
⇒ Formal or business-like
皆様のご支援に心より感謝申し上げます。
We sincerely appreciate everyone’s support.
⇒ Very formal and respectful
支えてくれたことに本当に感謝しています。
I truly appreciate your support.
⇒ Personal, heartfelt, and reflective
感謝する vs ありがとう
| Expression | Function | Typical tone | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| ありがとう | A direct expression said to someone | Everyday, immediate, friendly | 手伝ってくれてありがとう。 |
| ありがとうございます | A polite direct thank-you | Polite and broadly natural | ご協力ありがとうございます。 |
| 感謝する | Describes or formally expresses gratitude | Reflective, written, formal, or heartfelt | 皆さんに感謝しています。 |
感謝する vs ありがたい
ありがたい is an adjective describing something as welcome, helpful, fortunate, or worthy of gratitude.
Focuses on your gratitude toward a person, action, or situationありがたい
Describes something as appreciated, welcome, or beneficial
皆さんの支援に感謝しています。
Minasan no shien ni kansha shite imasu.
I am grateful for everyone’s support.
皆さんの支援は本当にありがたいです。
Minasan no shien wa hontō ni arigatai desu.
Everyone’s support is truly appreciated / helpful.
そう言ってもらえるとありがたい。
Sō itte moraeru to arigatai.
I appreciate you saying that.
感謝する vs 感激する
感激する means to be deeply moved or emotionally touched. Gratitude may be involved, but the focus is the strong emotional reaction.
to feel or express gratitude感激する
to be deeply moved, touched, or overwhelmed with emotion
助けてくれた皆さんに感謝しています。
Tasukete kureta minasan ni kansha shite imasu.
I am grateful to everyone who helped me.
皆さんの温かい言葉に感激しました。
Minasan no atatakai kotoba ni kangeki shimashita.
I was deeply moved by everyone’s warm words.
Does 感謝する Always Mean “Appreciate”?
No. English appreciate has several meanings, but 感謝する specifically expresses gratitude.
⇒ ご協力に感謝します。
⇒ 手伝ってくれてありがとうございます。I appreciate art.
⇒ 芸術の良さが分かります。
⇒ 芸術を鑑賞します。
× 芸術に感謝します。
I appreciate the difficulty.
⇒ 難しさは理解しています。
× 難しさに感謝しています。
Polite and Formal Forms of 感謝する
感謝します
A polite but direct declaration of gratitude.
皆様のご理解に感謝します。
Minasama no go-rikai ni kansha shimasu.
We appreciate everyone’s understanding.
感謝いたします
いたす is the humble equivalent of する. This form is common in business and formal announcements.
ご協力に感謝いたします。
Go-kyōryoku ni kansha itashimasu.
We appreciate your cooperation.
心より感謝申し上げます
A very formal and respectful expression meaning “We/I sincerely express our/my gratitude.”
日頃のご支援に、心より感謝申し上げます。
Higoro no go-shien ni, kokoro yori kansha mōshiagemasu.
We sincerely appreciate your continued support.
深く感謝申し上げます
A formal expression emphasizing deep gratitude.
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 mōshiagemasu.
We extend our deepest gratitude for your considerable efforts.
Natural Business Expressions Using 感謝
We appreciate your cooperation.迅速なご対応に感謝いたします。
We appreciate your prompt response.
平素より格別のご支援を賜り、心より感謝申し上げます。
We sincerely appreciate your continued exceptional support.
皆様のご尽力に深く感謝申し上げます。
We deeply appreciate everyone’s efforts.
改めて感謝の意を表します。
I would like to express my gratitude once again.
In many ordinary business emails, ありがとうございます sounds warmer and less ceremonial than 感謝いたします.
早速ご対応いただき、ありがとうございます。More formal statement:
迅速なご対応に感謝いたします。
The Kanji and Origin of 感謝
to feel; for the heart or mind to be moved by something謝 (sha)
to express thanks; gratitude
It can also relate to apologizing or declining in other words.
感謝
the feeling and expression of gratitude
The word is historically attested in Japanese texts, while dictionary commentary notes that it appears to have become generally established in the Meiji period.
How 感謝する Is Used in Speeches, Anime, and Drama
Because 感謝する sounds more reflective than a quick ありがとう, it often appears in speeches, farewell scenes, letters, narration, and emotional dialogue.
Ima made sasaete kureta minna ni kansha shite iru.
I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me until now.君と出会えたことに感謝するよ。
Kimi to deaeta koto ni kansha suru yo.
I’m grateful that I was able to meet you.
生きて帰れたことに感謝しろ。
Ikite kaereta koto ni kansha shiro.
Be grateful that you made it back alive.
この奇跡に感謝しなきゃね。
Kono kiseki ni kansha shinakya ne.
We should be grateful for this miracle.
The command 感謝しろ can sound forceful: “Be grateful!” or “You should thank me.” It is not a polite way to request appreciation.
Common Mistakes with 感謝する
Mistake 1: Using It for Every Small Thank-You
○ ありがとうございます。
△ 感謝します。 — too formal or dramatic
Mistake 2: Translating Every “Appreciate” as 感謝する
Use 感謝する only for gratitude, not for understanding or recognizing value.
Mistake 3: Using を for the Target of Gratitude
The person, action, or situation is normally marked with に.
△ 皆さんの協力を感謝します。
Use を when 感謝 itself is the object of another verb:
感謝を伝える。
Kansha o tsutaeru.
To express gratitude.
Mistake 4: Overusing あなた
あなたに感謝します。More natural:
本当に感謝しています。
助けてくれてありがとう。
Mistake 5: Confusing 感謝 and 謝罪
to thank / be grateful謝罪する
to apologize
Natural Example Sentences with 感謝する
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.
この仕事を任せてもらえたことに感謝しています。
Kono shigoto o makasete moraeta koto ni kansha shite imasu.
I am grateful that I was entrusted with this work.
困ったときに助けてくれた友達に感謝した。
Komatta toki ni tasukete kureta tomodachi ni kansha shita.
I felt grateful to the friend who helped me when I was in trouble.
皆様の温かいご支援に深く感謝いたします。
Minasama no atatakai go-shien ni fukaku kansha itashimasu.
We deeply appreciate everyone’s warm support.
毎日食事ができることに感謝すべきだ。
Mainichi shokuji ga dekiru koto ni kansha subeki da.
We should be grateful that we can eat every day.
彼は感謝されることを期待していた。
Kare wa kansha sareru koto o kitai shite ita.
He expected to be thanked.
感謝の気持ちを言葉にするのは大切です。
Kansha no kimochi o kotoba ni suru no wa taisetsu desu.
It is important to put your gratitude into words.
今回の経験に感謝し、次に生かしたいと思います。
Konkai no keiken ni kansha shi, tsugi ni ikashitai to omoimasu.
I am grateful for this experience and hope to use it in the future.
Example Dialogues
Dialogue 1: Everyday conversation
A: 荷物、持つよ。
Nimotsu, motsu yo.
I’ll carry your bag.
B: ありがとう。助かる！
Arigatou. Tasukaru!
Thanks. That helps!
⇒ A direct ありがとう is more natural than 感謝します for an immediate small favor.
Dialogue 2: Heartfelt gratitude
A: つらいとき、ずっとそばにいてくれたよね。
Tsurai toki, zutto soba ni ite kureta yo ne.
You stayed with me the whole time when things were hard.
B: うん。
Un.
Yeah.
A: 本当に感謝してる。
Hontō ni kansha shiteru.
I’m truly grateful.
⇒ 感謝してる sounds reflective and heartfelt.
Dialogue 3: Business Japanese
A: 予定より早く作業を完了しました。
Yotei yori hayaku sagyō o kanryō shimashita.
We completed the work earlier than scheduled.
B: 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.
⇒ 感謝いたします suits formal professional communication.
FAQ About 感謝する
What does kansha suru mean?
感謝する (kansha suru) means to feel or express gratitude, to be grateful, or to appreciate someone’s kindness or help.
How do you use kansha suru in a sentence?
Mark the person, action, or situation with に: 家族に感謝しています means “I am grateful to my family.”
What is the difference between kansha suru and arigatou?
ありがとう is a direct everyday “thank you.” 感謝する describes or formally expresses the feeling of gratitude and often sounds more reflective or formal.
What does kansha shite imasu mean?
感謝しています means “I am grateful” or “I appreciate it.” The ～ている form presents gratitude as an ongoing feeling.
How do you say “I appreciate you” in Japanese?
Japanese usually states what the person did: 支えてくれてありがとう or 支えてくれたことに感謝しています. A literal あなたに感謝します may sound stiff.
Which particle is used with 感謝する?
Use に for the person or thing receiving the gratitude: 皆さんに感謝する and ご協力に感謝する.
Is 感謝します polite?
Yes, it is polite, but it can sound formal or declarative. ありがとうございます is often more natural for an immediate spoken thank-you.
What is the difference between 感謝します and 感謝しています?
感謝します expresses gratitude as a statement or action. 感謝しています emphasizes an ongoing feeling of gratitude.
What is the formal version of 感謝する?
Common formal forms include 感謝いたします, 心より感謝申し上げます, and 深く感謝申し上げます.
Can 感謝する translate every use of “appreciate”?
No. It works when “appreciate” means “feel grateful.” Use expressions such as 理解する or 良さが分かる when “appreciate” means “understand” or “recognize the value.”
What is the difference between 感謝する and 感激する?
感謝する focuses on gratitude. 感激する means to be deeply moved or emotionally touched.
Summary: How to Use 感謝する
感謝する means to be grateful, feel gratitude, or appreciate someone’s kindness or help.● Basic grammar
Use に for the person, action, or situation:
家族に感謝する / ご協力に感謝する
● Specific actions
Use ～してくれたことに感謝する:
助けてくれたことに感謝しています。
● Ongoing gratitude
感謝しています = I am grateful / I appreciate it.
● Everyday thanks
ありがとう and ありがとうございます are usually more natural for immediate spoken gratitude.
● Formal expressions
感謝いたします
心より感謝申し上げます
深く感謝申し上げます
● Important translation point
感謝する translates “appreciate” only when it means “feel thankful.”
Remember the core pattern:
Person / help / opportunity + に + 感謝する
Use ありがとう for a quick thank-you, and use 感謝する when you want to describe, reflect on, or formally express gratitude.
References
- Kotobank: 感謝 — definitions, historical examples, and notes on the word’s establishment in Japanese.
- Kanjipedia: 感 — explains the kanji as the heart or mind being moved by an external thing.
- Kanjipedia: 謝 — includes the meanings “to express thanks” and “gratitude,” as well as other meanings used in separate compounds.
- The Japan Foundation: 感謝の気持ち — natural examples including people and connections marked with に.
- The Japan Foundation: たくさんの笑顔に支えられて — natural example of ことに感謝しています.