10 Easy Ways To Say Thank You In Japanese
Original blog post: https://ling-app.com/ja/thank-you-in-japanese/
Are you looking for different ways to say thank you in Japanese? Aside from the standard ありがとう(pronounced as arigatou), there are several formal and casual words/phrases that you can use when in conversation with the locals. In this post, we will discuss all the polite expressions used by the Japanese people so that you can bravely express gratitude while preventing miscommunication. After all, the Japanese culture dictates that the locals are very particular with the use of the right words to carry various meanings depending on the context. Get to know more about this by reading below.
No matter where you are in the world, it is impossible not to find an opportunity to say thanks to someone. As humans, it is natural for us to go through trouble just so we can provide help to a friend or even a stranger. And if you are someone who basically received help, the best way to show your appreciation is by giving them a sweet “thank you” in a language close to their hearts.
For the case of the Japanese people, please do note that it is natural for them to always say thank you or sorry. In fact, they say it so often to the point that some of the expressions for saying sorry are also used for saying thank you. For instance, when you get invited to a Japanese home, and you give your omiyage, you can see them bow almost instantly and hear the other person saying すみません or sumimasen. Technically, this specific word has the same meaning as “sorry” or “excuse me” but is also used for showing appreciation.
Ready to be aware of the several ways by which you can say thanks? Read on below.
How To Say Thank You In Japanese
If you are planning to walk the streets of Tokyo or experience the Japanese culture and real life in the Kansai area, getting yourself ready with some of the best expressions and greetings in the Japanese language can make your whole travel easier and much more fun. To help you get started, we are listing below the 10 easy ways to say thank you in Japanese- including words and phrases with a polite form, slang version, and formal version. If you are ready to make some friends, take note of the examples below.
ありがとう ご ざ い ます- Arigatou Gozaimasu
When speaking politely with someone of higher social status than you (like a government official or policeman), you can always say arigatou gozaimasu. It is the most basic polite form there is. For the locals, it also is fine to use when you are speaking with your employer or a teacher. If you are thinking of visiting Japan and not trouble yourself with the other ways to say thanks, you can just memorize this as this forms for both casual and formal situations.
どもありがとう ご ざ い ます — Domo Arigatou Gozaimasu
Also known as doumo arigatou gozaimasu, this expression is particularly useful for formal interactions and when someone has truly made an effort to help you. By adding the word doumo or domo, you are basically saying “thank you very much” and helps you provide emphasis on how truly grateful you are. This is best used with your superiors, employers, or even family members.
ありがとう- Arigatou
Arigatou is perhaps the most commonly used expression for saying thanks, but please note that this is casual and best used only among close friends or Japanese people of the same social class. Since this is mainly used by characters in anime when talking, we bet that this is one of the words you can hear the most!
どうも — Doumo
If you do not want to use a long casual phrase, you may consider using doumo or domo instead. As a rule of thumb, please do not forget that it is considered a slang form of saying thank you, which is why it is best used with really close friends. By using this when thanking your bosses, they might get offended.
あざす — Azasu
If you are interested in using a slang version of saying thank you, you can use azasu but only with your friends or siblings. This is the Japanese word that you should avoid using in business situations.
すみません — Sumimasen
As we have discussed before, sumimasen is a catchall word that can mean thank you and sorry. This is perfect for formal interactions with Japanese citizens.
おそれいります- Osore Irimasu
If you are interested in a type of saying thank you for special occasions and business situations, you can express gratitude by saying osore irimasu. While you can also use this with friends, it may look a bit unnatural.
おおきにありがとう- Ookini Arigatou
This is basically the same with domo arigatou and is mainly used in the Kansai area. Like sumimasen, this word also has another meaning and can be used to say “please” in the Japanese language.
ありがとうございました — Arigatou Gozaimashita
If you want to say thanks in the past tense, you can remove the “gozaimasu” in the Arigatou Gozaimasu and change it to Gozaimashita.
拝謝申し上げます- Haisha Moushiagemasu
Social class is important in the Japanese way of life. If you want to exhibit respect when speaking with the locals, you can sincerely say thanks by saying Haisha Moushiagemasu.
Does any of these sound similar to your language? Let us know in the comment section below. As we reach this part of the post, we hope that you were able to learn some of the best phrases and words that you can use to express your gratefulness in the Japanese language. If you enjoyed this post and would love to learn more about Japan, its culture, and language, then you better check out our most recommended app below.
Learn The Japanese Language Today!
When it comes learning Asian languages like Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese can easily be done through Simya Solutions’ Ling App. With this free language learning application, you can learn all the words, phrases, and correct expressions that will make you feel motivated to learn your target language.
Aside from its exciting gamified structure, the Ling App is perfect for everyone as it has lessons developed by real native speakers and language professionals. So, what are you waiting for? Download it today to start learning Japanese!
