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How to say thank you in Japanese

The standard polite way to say thank you in Japanese is ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu, often spelled arigato gozaimasu). With friends and family, a simple ありがとう (arigatō) is enough.

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Your turn: try sayingありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasu

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Phrases

Every way to say thank you

Match the phrase to the person. With strangers, staff and anyone older, ありがとうございます is always safe.

ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasuThank you
polite

The everyday polite default for shop staff, coworkers, strangers and anyone older.

ありがとうarigatōThanks
casual

For friends and family. With strangers, use ありがとうございます whatever their age.

どうもありがとうございますdōmo arigatō gozaimasuThank you very much
polite

Adds warmth. Good when someone went out of their way for you.

どうもありがとうdōmo arigatōThanks a lot
casual

Friendly and a little stronger than ありがとう alone.

どうもdōmoThanks
casual

A quick, light thanks, for example when someone holds a door or hands you change.

ありがとうございましたarigatō gozaimashitaThank you (for what you did)
polite

Past form. Use it when the favor or service is finished, like leaving a shop or the end of a class.

お世話になりましたosewa ni narimashitaThank you for all your help
formal

For someone who looked after you over time, such as a host family or a team you are leaving.

恐れ入りますosoreirimasuThank you, I appreciate it (very humble)
formal

Business and customer service language. Reading: おそれいります.

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In a conversation

Thanking a host

You are visiting a friend's home for the first time.

Yuki
どうぞ、お茶です。dōzo, ocha desu.Here you go, some tea.
You
ありがとうございます。arigatō gozaimasu.Thank you.
Yuki
いえいえ。お菓子もどうぞ。ie ie. okashi mo dōzo.Not at all. Have some sweets too.
You
どうもありがとうございます！dōmo arigatō gozaimasu!Thank you very much!
Yuki
どういたしまして。dō itashimashite.You're welcome.
Say it right

How to pronounce ありがとうございます

Stretch the o in arigatō

The う after と makes a long o: a-ri-ga-tō. That is why it is written with a macron (arigatō), though most English sites spell it arigato.

Let the last u fade

In normal speech the final u of gozaimasu is almost silent, so it sounds like go-zai-mas.

Follow the pitch in the audio

Japanese has no strong English-style stress, but its pitch rises and falls. Keep the beats even and copy the rise and fall you hear in the audio instead of punching the ga.

Use the past form when it is over

Switch to ありがとうございました when the help is finished, like after a meal, a ride or a lesson. Tooter's AI tutors will nudge you toward the right form as you speak.

Replies

How to answer when someone thanks you

  • どういたしましてdō itashimashiteYou're welcome
    polite

    Correct, but it can sound a bit stiff for small favors.

  • いえいえie ieOh, not at all
    casual

    The most natural everyday reply.

  • こちらこそkochira kosoThank you too / The pleasure is mine
    polite

    When you are both grateful, such as after a meeting.

  • とんでもないですtondemonai desuNot at all, it was nothing
    formal

    Humble. Common at work.

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FAQ

Questions learners ask

What is arigato gozaimasu?

ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu) is the polite way to say thank you in Japanese. ありがとう is the core word and ございます makes it polite, so use the full phrase with anyone you don't know well.

How do you say thank you very much in Japanese?

Say どうもありがとうございます (dōmo arigatō gozaimasu). For something that is already done, say 本当にありがとうございました (hontō ni arigatō gozaimashita), which means thank you so much.

How do you respond to arigato in Japanese?

The textbook reply is どういたしまして (dō itashimashite). In daily life, people more often say いえいえ (ie ie), a light "not at all".

How do you say thank you for something in Japanese?

Put the thing before the thanks: プレゼント、ありがとうございます (purezento, arigatō gozaimasu) means thank you for the present. For an action, use the te-form: 来てくれてありがとう (kite kurete arigatō) means thanks for coming.

What do you say to thank staff after a meal in Japan?

When you leave, say ごちそうさまでした (gochisōsama deshita), which thanks them for the meal. Many people add ありがとうございました on the way out.

What does domo arigato mean?

どうもありがとう (dōmo arigatō) means thank you very much. It is warm and a little more casual than ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu). どうも (dōmo) alone is a quick thanks.

How do you say thank you casually in Japanese?

Say ありがとう (arigatō) to friends and family. Young people also say サンキュー (sankyū), borrowed from English.

Is arigato gozaimasu formal?

It is polite, the standard form for strangers, staff and anyone older. For a finished favor, say ありがとうございました (arigatō gozaimashita). In business, 誠にありがとうございます (makoto ni arigatō gozaimasu) is more formal still.

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Updated October 23, 2026. Tooter tutors are AI characters, not human teachers. Romanization follows Hepburn romanization.