ありがとう ( = Arigatou): How to say THANK YOU! in Japanese

arigatou

「みんな、いつもこのサイトに来てくれて有り難う!」

= Minna itsumo kono saito ni kite kurete arigatou!

= Thank you, everyone, for always coming to this site!

Today’s lesson is about 有り難う / ありがとう( = arigatou),Thank you!

It is one of my favorite words!  In this lesson, I will teach you how to express our appreciation properly in Japanese.

*******
Let’s check the kanji first.
有り難う

•有る ( = aru) means to exist

•難い ( = katai/gatai) means to be difficult

So it originally means it is rare or difficult to have something or exist.So not to take it for granted to receive kindness or gifts because it is rare and appreciate it!

Ex. 有り難き幸せ ( = arigataki shiawase) (Classic Japanese) To be grateful for you happiness.

I am very grateful for my happiness.

Adjective : 有り難い ( = arigatai)
Let’s see other expression of using 有り難い ( = arigatai)

Ex.「有り難い(です)!」

= Arigatai (desu.)!

It helped me a lot.

Ex.「有り難いことです。」

 = Arigatai koto desu.

It was a great help for me. I really appreciate it.

Ex.  有り難いお言葉

= arigatai okotoba

thoughtful words

Ex.「お言葉は有り難いのですが…」

= Okotoba wa arigatai no desu ga.. (set phrase)

 = I appreciate your thoughtful words but….

~は有り難い。( =~ wa arigatai) = help me a lot. ~ is a great help for me. I appreciate ~.

Ex. 雨の中、駅まで迎えに来てもらえるのは有り難い。

= Ame no naka eki made mukae ni kite moraeru nowa arigatai.

I appreciate them picking me up at the station in this rainy weather.

有り難く思う。

= arigataku omou.

to appreciate something

有り難いと思う。

= arigatai to omou.

to appreciate something

 

Ex.  このご時世、仕事があるだけでも有り難く(or 有り難いと)思わなくてはいけない。

= Kono gojisei, shigoto ga aru dake demo arigataku (arigataito) omowanakuete wa ikenai

We have to appreciate just being employed these days.

有り難いことに ( = Arigatai koto ni)  Thankfully…/Fortunately/Luckily..

Ex. 有り難いことに明日は日曜日だ。

 = Arigatai koto ni ashita wa nichiyoubi da.

Thanks God, it’s Sunday tomorrow!

Ex. 有り難いことにその時間(に)、まだ銀行がやっていた。

 = Arigatai koto ni sono jikan(ni)  mada ginkou ga yatteita.

Fortunately, the bank was still open at that time.

The opposite of 有り難い  ( = arigatai) is

有り難くない  ( = arigataku nai.) Not favorable

Ex. こんなものをもらっても有り難くない。

= Konna mono wo moratte mo arigataku nai.

It’s hard to feel grateful for a gift like this.

There is also a word, ありがた迷惑  ( = arigata meiwaku) unwelcome favor, intrusive kindness

Ex. 一人暮らしなのにこんなに一杯の食べ物をもらってもありがた迷惑だ。

= Hitori gurashi nanoni konnani ippai no tabemono wo moratte mo arigata meiwaku da.

I live alone and so it’s actually hard to feel grateful for getting all this unwanted food. (Thanks for nothing!)

*****************************

OK, now we will lean how to say thank you in Japanese.

•有り難う / ありがとう ( = Arigatou) Thank you!

You can use both kanji and hiragana.

More polite:
「有り難うございます。」

 = Arigatou gozaimasu.

Thank you so much.

The past tense for 有り難うございます。( = Arigatou gozaimasu.)  is  有り難うございました。( = Arigatou gozaimashita.)

 

Ex.先日は、有り難うございました。

= Senjitsu wa arigatou gozaimashita.

Thank you very much for the other day.

But let’s imagine you are invited to a party and you want to thank the host at the entrance before the party starts, what would you say?

In this case you can say either,

Ex. 今日は、お招き頂き有り難うございます。

= Kyou wa omaneki itadaki arigatou gozaimasu.

Thank you for inviting me today.

or

Ex. 今日は、お招き頂き有り難うございました。

= Kyou wa omaneki itadaki arigatou gozaimashita.

Thank you for having invited me today.

When you leave the party, you should say ~ございました。( = gozaimashita.)

ありがとう/有り難う ( = Arigatou) can be used both for the present and past situation.

Ex. この間は、ありがとう。

 = Kono aida wa arigatou.

Thanks for the other day!

Ex. この間は、ありがと(う)ね。(casual)

 = Kono aida wa arigato(u)ne.

 = Thanks for the other day!

Thank you,too! in Japanese is:

•こちらこそ!

 = Kochirakoso

Thank you,too!

•こちらこそ、有り難う!

 = Kochirakoso arigatou

Thank you, too!

****************************
:qq: Basic patter

*Thank you for +(giving me/us)+  object

*object  (tangible/intangible) + くれて, etc.  + 有り難う/有り難うございます。( =object +wo kurete+  arigatou/arigatougozaimasu.)

*object  (tangible/intangible) + 下さって/頂き, etc + 有り難うございました。object+ wo kudasatte/itadaki, etc. + arigatou gozaimashita.) past tense

Ex. 素敵なプレゼント下さって有り難うございます。

= Sutekina purezento  wo kudasatte arigatougozaimasu.

= Thank you for giving me  the nice present!

Ex 貴重なお時間頂きさいて頂き有り難うございました。

= Kichou na ojikan wo itadaki/saite itadaki arigatou gozaimashita.(formal)

 = Thank you for giving us(or sharing us) your precious time.

Ex. 先日は、貴重なもの*頂き、どうも有り難うございました。

= Senjitsu wa kichou na mono wo itadaki arigatou gozaimashita.)

 = Thank you for giving me the precious things the other day.

*Variation :

•珍しいもの  ( = mezurashii mono) something rare

•美味しいもの  ( = oishii mono)  something delicious

•結構なもの  ( = kekkou na mono) something really nice

Note : A lot of time we omit  an object particle を  ( = wo) +the main verb such as くれる  ( = kureru), 頂く ( = itadaku), etc. in conversation.

Ex. 応援、ありがとう

= Ouen arigatou!

= Thank you for your support!

Omitting the particles often happen in conversation. But some just leave を ( = wo)  in the sentence and omit  the main verb , くれる ( = kureru) 頂く ( = itadaku) = giving etc..

:u:

object + + ありがとう( =wo + arigatou) “Thank you for (something) ”

Ex. 美味しいケーキありがとう。

= Oishii keiki wo arigatou!

= Thank you for the delicious cake!

:u: (originally)

美味しいケーキくれてありがとう。

= Oishii keiki wo kurete arigatou.

= Thank you for giving me the delicious cake.

:l: This を ( = wo) is an object marker for the main verb  (くれる = kureru) and not the object for Thank you.


Ex. 素敵なプレゼントありがとう

= Sutekina purezento (wo) arigatou

= Thank you for the wonderful present.

:u:(originally)


素敵なプレゼント頂き or 下さって、ありがとう

= Sutekina purezento (wo) itadaki or kudasatte arigatou

= Thank you for giving me the wonderful present.

Ex. 貴重なお時間ありがとうございました。

= Kichou na ojikan wo arigatougozaimashita.

= Thank you for your valuable time.

:u: (originally)

Ex. 貴重なお時間頂き or さいて頂き、有り難うございました

= Kichou na ojikan wo itadaki, or saite itadaki arigatougozaimashtia.

= Thank you for sharing your valuable time.

Since you omit the main verb, just leaving the particle (=wo) in the sentence is considered to be grammatically wrong. Still we use this sentence pattern often to emphasize the object.

However  you need to be careful because sometimes it sounds unnatural.

!BUBU! Not natural! 

これありがとう

= Kore wo arigatou

:rrrr: これ(をくれて)ありがとう

= Kore (wo kurete) arigatou!

 

!star! When not to omit を (  = wo) :

You might have seen these types of dramatic lines from the titles of songs or advertisements after big  events such as sports events, concert, etc.

(A lot of times, they are talking abut intangible objects here.)

Ex. 夢(or 感動)ありがとう!

= Yume (or kandou) wo arigatou!

= Thank you for the dreams (moving us) .

:rrrr: (orig) 与えてくれてありがとう!

= Yume wo ataete kurete arigatou!

= Thank you for giving us dreams.

Ex. いい思い出ありがとう!

= Ii omoide wo arigatou!

= Thank you for the  nice memories!

:rrrr: (orig) いい思い出作ってくれてありがとう!

= Thank you for making the nice memories.

= Ii omoide wo tsukutte kurete arigatou!

Ex. すてきな時間ありがとう!

= Sutekina jikan wo arigatou!

= Thank you for the wonderful time!

:rrrr: (orig) すてきな時間を作ってくれてありがとう!

= Sutekina jikan wo tsukutte kurete arigatou!

= Thank you for creating wonderful time!

It would be strange if you omit を ( = wo) in these types of phrases.


*Verb + くれてありがとう(=verb + kurete+ arigatou)

来る ( = kuru) to come来て ( = kite)

来てくれてありがとう。

= Kite kurete arigatou.

Thank you for coming.

教える ( = oshieru) to teach → 教えて ( = oshiete)

教えてくれてありがとう。 

 = Oshiete kurete arigatou

Thank you for teaching (me).

Note: Even if it is a past action, you never say

教えてくれたありがとう( = oshiete kureta arigatou) 

手伝う ( = tetsudau) to help手伝って ( = tetsudatte)

手伝ってくれてありがとう。 

=Tetsudatte kurete arigatou.

Thank you for helping (me).

誘う( = sasou) to invite誘って ( = sasotte)

誘ってくれ てありがとう。

 = Sasotte kurete arigatou.

Thank you for inviting.

Note : Typical mistake

Incorrect

美味しい料理を作ってもらってありがとう。

 = Oishii ryouri wo tsukutte moratte arigatou.

:rrrr: Correct

美味しい料理を作ってくれて有り難う。

 = Oishii ryouri wo tsukutte kurete arigatou

Thank you for making delicious meal!

Please check the くれる lesson for more!

:u:

More formal:

!to right!  verb te-form + 下さって+ありがとうございます。

 = verb  te-form + kudasatte+arigatou gozaimasu. 

教える ( = oshiete) to teach教えて ( = oshiete)

→ 教えて下さってありがとうございます

= Oshiete kudasatte arigatougozaimasu.

Thank you so much for teaching (me).

作る ( = tsukuru) to make作って ( = tsukutte)

作って下さって有り難うございます。

= Tsukutte kudasatte arigatougozaimasu.

Thank you so much for making (it for me.)

Another formal pattern:

!to right! verb + し/て+頂きありがとうございます。

( = verb+shi/te + itadaki+arigatou gozaimasu.)

来る ( = kuru) to come(polite form) お越し ( = okoshi)

お越し頂き有り難うございます。

= Okoshi itadaki arigatougozaimasu.

Thank you for coming.

Note: We also say いらして下さって ( = irashite kudasatte)

Ex. お足元が悪い中、わざわざお超し頂き有り難うございました。(formal)

= Oashi moto ga warui naka wazawaza okoshi itadaki arigatougozaimashita.)

= Thank you so much for coming in this bad weather.

Note : 足元が悪い ( = ashimoto ga warui)  足元 ( = ashimoto) means under foot which means ground. When it rains, the ground gets wet and muddy and makes it hard to walk.
So this expression shows appreciation towards a person who has come a long way in bad weather.

買う ( = kau) to buy → 買い上げする  ( = Okaiage suru) to buy out

お買い上げ頂く  ( = Okaiage itadaku) to buy  (very formal)

お買い上げ頂き有り難うございました。

 =  Okaiage itadaki arigatou gozaimashita.

Thank you for buying.

Ex. 本製品をお買い上げ頂きまして誠にありがとうございました。

= Honseihin wo okaiage itadakimashite makoto ni arigatou gozaimashita.

You will see this phrase in any instruction manual for products you’ve bought.

Other formal set phrases which use 頂く ( = itadaku) :

Ex. ご来店頂きまして、誠にありがとうございます。

 = Goraiten itadakimashite makoto ni arigatou gozaimasu. 

Thank you for coming to our store.

(You will hear this announcement in big department stores.)

Ex. 御配慮頂きまして有り難うございました。(very formal)

 = Gohairyo itadakimashite arigatou gozaimashita

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.

(We hear or see this phrase in a formal or business situations.)

Ex. お骨折り頂きまして有り難うございました。

 = Ohoneori itadakimashite arigatou gozaimashita.

Thank you very much for your hard work.

Note : 骨折る ( = honeoru) literally means to break one’s bone. Conversationally it means to trouble, to do hard and tough work.

********************************
To emphasize thank you, you add, どうも ( = doumo)、本当に ( = hontouni)、心から ( = kokorokara) in front.

Thank you very much.

どうも有り難う。(casual) 

= Doumo arigatou.

どうも有り難うございます。(polite) 

 = Doumo arigatou gozaimasu. 

どうも有り難うございました(for past action/polite) 

= Doumo arigatou gozaimashita.

Thank you very much.

本当にありがとう。(casual) 

 = Hontou ni arigatou.

本当にありがとうございます。(polite) 

= Hontou ni arigatou gozaimasu.

本当にありがとうございました。(past/polite) 

 = Hontou ni arigatou gozaimashita.

=Thank you for everything.

いろいろ有り難う。(casual) 

 = Iroiro arigatou.

いろいろ有り難うございます。(polite) 

 = Iroiro arigatou gozaimasu.

いろいろ有り難うございました。

= Iroiro arigatou gozaimashita.

Thank you for your kindness.

ご親切に有り難うございます。(polite) 

 = Goshinsetsu ni arigatou gozaimasu.

ご親切に有り難うございました。(polite) 

= Goshinsetsu ni arigatou gozaimashita. 

Thank you for the other day

先日は有り難うございました。

= Senjitsu wa arigatougozaimashita.

その節は有り難うございました。

= Sono setsu wa arigatou gozaimashita.

Culture note : If you have receive a gift, it is considered to be polite to say thank you to the person who gave it to you the next time you see them as well.

If you really appreciate it, you can combine them.

Ex. 本当にいろいろ有り難うございました。

 = Hontou ni iroiro arigatou gozaimashita.

Thank you so much for everything.

Ex. ご親切にどうも有り難うございました。

= Goshinsetsu ni doumo arigatou gozaimashita.

Thank you so much for your kindness.


:l: <感謝>( = kansha) appreciation

verb : 感謝する = kansha suru) to appreciate

I appreciate 〜)

•(〜に)感謝しています。( = (~ ni) kansha shite imasu.)

(〜に)感謝しております。( = (~ ni) kansha shite ori imasu.) more polite

You can add 本当に  ( = hontouni) very much, truly , 心から  ( = kokoro kara) sincerely, 深く ( = fukaku) deeply in front to emphasize your appreciation.


Ex. この度のことは、本当に感謝しております。

= Konotabi no koto wa hontou ni kansha shite orimasu.

I really appreciate you regarding this issue.

Ex. 感謝の気持ちで一杯です。

= Kansha no kimochi de ippai desu.

I feel very grateful.

Ex. (〜に)深く感謝しています/おります。

 = (~ni) fukaku kansha shite imasu/orimasu.

I deeply appreciate it.

*I appreciate sincerely (for…)

Ex. 心より(or から)感謝しています。/おります。(polite) 

= Kokoro yori/kara kansha shite imasu./orimasu

Ex. ご親切、心から感謝しております。

( = Goshinsetsu kokoro kara kansha shite orimasu.) 

I sincerely appreciate your kindness.

Ex. 御好意 に、心より感謝しております。

( = Gokoui ni kokoro yori  kansha shite orimasu.)

I sincerely appreciate your doing me a favor.

There is also a word, 深謝( = shinsha) deep appreciation (very formal)

verb form:深謝する( = shinsha suru)

Ex. この件では、ご尽力を頂き深謝しております。

(Konoken dewa gojinryoku wo itadaki shinsha shite orimasu.)
I truly appreciate your had work for this matter.

Ex.感謝の言葉もありません。( = Kansha no kotoba mo arimasen.) “I can’t thank enough.”

:l: <御礼>( = orei)

Ex.心より(or 心から)御礼申し上げます。

( = kokoro yori/kara orei moushiagemasu.) very polite (You will hear or see this in public speeches or formal letters.)
I would like to thank you from the the bottom of my heart.

Ex.「何と御礼を申し上げたらいいやら。」

( = Nanto orei wo moushiagete iiyara)

I don’t know how to thank you.

boucingheart! <How to say thank you in special occasions.>

*When someone treats you, you say,

•御馳走様でした。

( = Gochisou sama deshita.)

Thank you for the meal.

•御馳走様でした。美味しかったです。

( = Gochisou sama deshita. Oishikatta desu.)

Thank you for the meal. It was delicious.

Also if you receive some food, you can tell them how yummy it was later.

Ex. この間頂いた、ケーキ、本当に美味しかったです。御馳走様でした。

( = Kono aida itadaita keiki hontou ni oishikatta desu. Gochisou sama deshita.

Thank you for the cake the other day. It was delicious!

*If someone took care of you, you say,

お世話になりました。( = Osewani narimashita.)

Note : We say お世話になります。( = Osewani narimasu.) before you anticipate someone will do you a favor or take care of you. Thank you in advance.

Also we say:

宜しくお願いします。

( = Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.) polite

宜しくお願い致します。

( = Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.) more polite

よろしくね。

( = Yoroshiku ne) casual

*If someone comes all the way to your place (from somewhere fairly faraway) you can say,

Ex.わざわざお越し頂き、有り難うございました。

( = Wazawaza okoshi itadaki arigatou gozaimashita.)

Thank you for coming all the way.

Ex. ご足労をおかけ致しました。

( = Gosokurou wo okake itashimashita.)

Thank you for coming despite all the trouble.

*If you trouble someone or make someone work for you, you say;

Ex. お手数をおかけしました。

( = Otesuu wo okake shimashita.)

Sorry for your trouble.

<Formal occasions, formal letters, business situation,etc.>

In a very formal situation or formal business letter:

Ex.毎度お引き立て有り難うございます。

( = Maido ohikitate arigatou gozaimasu.)

Thank you for your loyal patronage.

Ex. まことに有り難うございました。

( = Makoto ni arigatou gozaimashita.)

Thank you very much.

真に/誠に→まことに In business letters, we are supposed to use hiragana.

Ex.平素は格別のご愛顧を賜り厚く御礼申し上げます。

( = Heiso wa kakubetsu no goaiko wo tamawari atsuku orei moushiagemasu.)
We would like to express our gratitude for yourloyal patronage and support .(formal business letter)

<Simple way to say thank you besides saying ありがとう(=arigatou)>

We often say “I’m sorry” instead of saying “Thank you.” in Japanese to show that we feel bad about receiving.

*すみません。( = Sumimasen) I am sorry.Thank you.

Ex. 「いつもすみません。」

( = Itsumo sumimasen.)

I am sorry to trouble you all the time. Thank you always!

Ex. どうもすみません。

( = Doumo sumimasen.)

I am very sorry.Thank you so much. (I feel bad..)

*申し訳ないです。( = Moushiwake nai) I am so sorry. I feel terrible.


Ex. いつも頂くばかりで申し訳ないです。

( = Itsumo itadaku bakari de moushiwake nai desu.)

I really feel bad for always receiving things from you.

When someone does something for you or give you something, you receive it saying,

Ex. 恐れいります。( = Osore irimasu.)

Thank you. I am grateful. (Sounds very humble)

Ex. 恐縮です。( = Kyoushuku desu.)

Thank you. I am grateful. (Sounds very humble)

You can also say these when someone give you compliments instead of saying Thank you.

Go check my 恐れいります( = osore irimasu) lesson.

<Bring up a person who does a favor for you.>

ご親切に ( = Goshinsetsu ni)You are so sweet. That’s very nice of you.

Ex.  それは、ご親切に有り難うございます。

( = Sorewa goshinsetsu ni arigatou gozaimasu.)

That’s very nice of you. Thank you!

御丁寧に  You are so polite

Ex. 御丁寧に有り難うございます。

= Goteinei ni arigatou gozaimasu.

Thank you for your politeness/courtesy.

お陰様で。( = Okage sama de)  Thanks to God,thanks to yo.

(In many cases, it has nothing to do with you but they say that anyway to be polite.)

Ex. 「もうお体よくなられたんですか?」

= Mou okarada yoku nararetan desu ka?

You feel better now?

「はい、お陰様で。」

= Hai, okage sama de.

Yes, thanks to you. (Or Thanks to God!)

Ex. A:「御結婚、おめでとうございます。」

= Gokekon omedetou gozaimasu.

Congratulations on the wedding.

B:「お陰様で、ありがとうございます。」

 = Okage sama de arigatou ogzaimasu.

Thanks to you! (or Thanks to God!)

Exおかげさまで合格致しました。有り難うございます。

= Okage sama de goukaku itashimashita.

Thanks to you (or God) I got passed the exam.


Ex. お陰様で無事に退院することが出来ました。本当に有り難うございました。

= Okagesama de buji ni taiin suru koto ga dekimashita. Hontou ni arigatougozaimahista.

Thanks to you (God), I (or someone in my family) was discharged from the hospital without any problems.

I really appreciate it.

Ex. 私がここまでやってこられましたのも皆様のご尽力があってこそです。

 = Watashi ga koko made yatte koraremashita o mo  minasama no gojinryoku ga atte koso desu.

I would really appreciate all the help and support everyone has provided so far. (I owe you a lot.)

:jjj:   <御礼> ( = orei) Thank you

御礼を言う ( = orei wo iu) to say thank you

Ex. お世話になった人に御礼を言いたい。

= Osewani natta hito ni orei wo iitai.

I would like to express my appreciation to a person who has taken care of me.

御礼を申し上げる ( = Orei wo moushiageru)  to say thank you. (polite)

Ex. 皆様の御協力に心から御礼申し上げます。(formal) 

= Minasama no gokyouryoku ni kokoro kara orei moushiagemasu.

We are sincerely grateful for all your cooperation.

Ex. 重ねて御礼申し上げます。(formal) 

= Kasanete orei moushiagemasu.

We would like to say thank you again.

Ex.  厚く御礼申し上げます。(formal)

= Atsuku moushiagemasu.

We are extremely grateful.

Cultural note: Thank you gift is also called  御礼 ( = orei)

In some occasions we give a present to a person who did a favor for us to show our appreciation.
In casual situation we don’t put any label but if it is formal, we put a label which says 御礼  ( = orei)
If you give some money, put the money in a white envelope and write 御礼 ( = orei) .
We sometimes put thanks money, including some lesson fee in an envelope marked as 御礼  ( = orei).

<How to receive gifts or favor>

In many cases you can just say thank you and receive a gift but there is a certain case that you should be more polite. Here’s how.

If someone offers you a gift, you can reject it once lightly as a formality,

Ex.いえいえ、そんなことをして頂いたら(困ります。)

= Ieie, sonna koto wo shite itadaitara komarimasu.

Oh no..I would be in trouble if you do such a thing.You don’t need to do that.

Ex.その様なご心配はもうなさらないで下さい。

( = Sonoyou na goshinnpai wa mou nasaranai de kudasai.)

Please don’t worry about that.

Ex.もうそんなことは(なさらないで下さい。)

= Mou sonnna koto wa (nasaranai de kudasai.)

Please don’t do such a thing.


Ex. もうそんなご心配は(なさらないで下さい。)

= Mou sonnna goshinpai wa (nasaranai de kudasai.

Please don’t worry about that.

Ex.その様なことをして頂いたら却って申し訳ないです。

 = Sonoyou na koto wo shite itadaitara kaette moushiwake nai desu.

I would feel terrible if you did that.

OK, enough! Now you take it!! But be polite! :D

Ex.そうですか?それではお言葉に甘えて…

 = Soudesu ka? Soredewa okotoba ni amaete..

If you insist, well, then I will allow myself to accept…


Ex. それでは遠慮なく頂戴致します。申し訳ありません。

= Sorede wa enryo naku choudai itashimasu. Mushiwake arimasen.

OK, in that case, I will take it without any hesitation. Thank you so much.

Ex. いつも頂くばかりですみません。

= Itsumo itadaku bakari de sumimasen.

I feel bad because I always receive things from  you.

Note : If you really are the one who’s always taking, go check お返し(=okaeshi) culture in my Valentine’s lesson!

The simple way to say thank you is, just express your happiness.

嬉しい!!

 = Ureshii

I’m so happy!  

嬉しいです。

= Ureshii desu.

I’m so happy!

こんなの欲しかったの!(casual/female speech

 = Konnano hoshikattano!

I was just looking for a thing like this. It’s perfect! 

丁度、こういうのが欲しかったのです。

= Choudo kouiu no ga shoshikatta nodesu.

I just wanted a thing like this. It’s perfect! (more polite)

「助かるなあ。(casual) 

= Tasukaru naa

It’s a great help!

助かるわ。(casual/ female speech)

=Tasukaru wa

It’s a great help!

助かります。(more polite) 

=Tasukarimasu.

It’s a great help.

And, of course, don’t forget to say 「ありがとう!」 ( = arigatou) Thank you! It’s a magic word!

<How do you response when someone says thank you to you>

どういたしまして。

= Douitashimashite.

You’re welcome! 

いえいえ、とんでもない(です)。

= Ieie tondemo nai(desu)

Don’t mention it. You don’t need to thank me.

いいえ、お互い様です。

 = Iie otagai sama desu.

The feeling (of thanks) is mutual.

お役に立てれば嬉しいです。

 = Oyaku ni tatereba ureshii desu.

I will be happy to be of service to you.

お役に立てて 嬉しいです。

= Oyaku ni tatereba ureshii desu.

I am glad to be of service to you.

いいえ、こちらこそいつもお世話になってばかりで..。

= Iie kochirakoso itsumo osewa ni natte bakari de…

I’m the one who should be thanking you. (I owe you a lot.)

いいえ、少しだけですが。

 = Iie sukoshi dake desu ga..

No, it is just a small token.

つまらないものですが。

= Tsumaranai mono desu ga

This is small something.

気持だけです。

 = Kimochi dake desu.

It’s just small thing.

ほんの気持です。

= Honno kimochi desu.

It’s just small thing.

You have to be modest. For further information, Go check 謙遜レッスン

:maggie-small: From the pic. above.

「みんな、いつもこのサイトに来てくれてありがとう!」

 = Minna itsumo kono saito ni kite kurete arigatou!

Thank you, everyone, for always coming to this site!


maggie-sensei マギー先生より ( = Maggie sensei yori) From Maggie-Sensei

みなさん、このブログを支えてくれて有り難う!( = Minasan kono burogu wo sasaete kurete

arigatou!) Thank you, everyone, for supporting this blog!

皆が、時々コメントに書いてくれる「ありがとう」の一言が本当に嬉しくて続けています。

= Minaga tokidoki komento ni kaite kureru “Arigatou” no hitokoto ga hontou ni ureshikute tsuzukte imasu.

Your “Thank you” message in a comment would make me very happy and I’ll be able to happily continue these lessons!

今日はマギーから一杯のありがとう!! 

 = Kyou wa Maggie kara ippai no arigatou!

Today I will send you lots of “Thank you!”


***

Will you be my Patron? 

I appreciate your support!  サポートありがとう!

Become a Patron!

 




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60 Comments

  1. こんにちは先生!
    I have a question about ていただきありがとうございます and てくださりありがとうございます. If I am thanking the other person for doing something, shouldn’t 作ってくださだて/作ってくださりありがとうございます be used only? In 作っていただいて, doesn’t いただいて focus on me recieving the favour? From what I understand, the て form of the word must be the action performed by the person who I am thanking. I am a little confused here. I have also seen an expression thanking the interviewer saying 面接のお時間をいただきありがとうございます. Here too I don’t understand why いただき is used. I thought くださりshould be used. Can they be used interchangeably? Can you please help?

    Thankyou

    1. こんにちは Ruchika
      you receives someone’s time 時間をもらう → お時間をいただく
      someone gives you his/her time 時間をくれる → お時間をくださる

      Ah, I should have mentioned て form.
      You can say both いただいて・いただき ・ くださって・くださり
      いただき・くださり form is more formal but they mean the same.

      1. Thankyou for answering! Like you said, いただく is used when I am receiving and くださる when someone is giving. When I thank them for giving me their time, shouldn’t くださり be used since the focus is on their action of giving me time? If I say お時間をいただきありがとうございます, it seems like I am thanking them for me recieving their time which doesn’t seem right. I might be wrong here. Can please clarify?

        Thankyou

        1. Here’s the literal meaning
          お時間をいただき 〜 focusing on receiving their time (I thank you for the time I receive from you./I appreciate the fact that I receive your time.
          お時間をくださり 〜 focusing on their action of giving me time (I thank you for giving me your time)

          1. Right. いただき is considered to be slightly more polite.

            Note: Just be careful. In casual form,
            you say くれてありがとう but you don’t say もらってありがとう

  2. Hi Maggie Sensei! I heard someone use ありがたいね as thank you, and the internet said that it’s an old fashioned and informal way to say thank you. Is this true? What’s the difference between ありがたい and ありがとう?

    1. Hi Cheru!

      I see. The way you use ありがとう and ありがたい are a little different.
      When you simply want to say “Thank you!” to someone, you say ありがとう. Not ありがたい.
      While you say ありがとう to people who did/does something for you, ありがたい is used to show your appreciation to the situation, circumstances, things or event that help you.

  3. Maggie, hellooooo~! *hugs*
    Christmas is just around the corner, so here are my wishes for you! Please be healthy, happy every day, keep supporting us with your knowledge about Japan’s culture and Japanese language and may all your dreams come true!

    And here’s also my little request for you.
    During playing Final fantasy IX <3 I come across an expression「かたじけない」, which also means「 ありがとう」. Could you tell us something about it? When is it used and who normally uses it?

    Also you can add to "How do you response when someone says thank you to you":
    1. 礼には及ばない
    2. なんのなんの

    Thank you!

    1. Merry Christmas!!
      Thank you for your nice Christmas wishes for me. I hope you have wonderful Christmas holidays, too!!

      かたじけない Thank you
      It is a typical samurai warrior’s speech.
      You hear this only in Samurai drama, animations or games or when you talk like samurai jokingly.

      I may add some of the expressions to say You’re welcome in future.

      かたじけない!😆

  4. Maggie-sensei, I’m sorry to trouble you with another question. I first need to write an email to my friend’s aunt who will show me around during my visit to Japan, but I wonder how I should open it? Would including something like 貴重なお時間をありがとうございました and 迷惑をかけてすみません。to convey that I’m sorry to trouble her and to thank her for making the time to see me.

    1. 貴重なお時間をありがとうございました may sound too formal for your friend’s aunt.
      迷惑をかけてすみません is used when you actually cause some problems.

      How about 今日はお忙しい中、すみません/ ありがとうございます。 = Kyou wa oisogashii naka sumimasen/ arigatou gozaimasu. before she shows you around.
      (すみません conveys your feelings of “Sorry for to trouble you./ ありがとう simply expresses your appreciation.)

  5. こんいちは、maggie-sensei! :ii:

    I have a question, there was a Japanese thanking me but I don’t know what she was thanking for. If I want to ask her “why did you thanking me?” in nihongo, does this sentence !to right! なぜあなたは私に感謝しましたか? has the exact meaning?

    よろしくおねがいします~ 

  6. Dear Maggie Sensei: Thank you for this lovely site! I have a question: How would you say “I am grateful for our friendship”? Or is that too direct culturally? Would like to get your opinion :)

    1. @R

      Hello R! Thank YOU for visiting this site!
      “I am grateful for our friendship”? 私達の友情に感謝しています。= Watashitachi no yuujou ni kansha shiteimasu.

      If you want to say more casual way, just say
      Thank you for being my friend. = 友達でいてくれてありがとう!= Tomodachi de ite kurete arigatou!
      I am glad you are my friend = (your friend name)が友達でよかった!= ~ ga tomodachi de yokatta.

  7. Umm could you help me please? how do you say “thank you for sharing the songs!” Or “thanks for telling me the songs” ? *-*

    1. @Hi
      I need to know the situation.
      If someone share a link to the songs you like, you can say
      いい歌を教えてくれてありがとう。
      いい曲を教えてくれてありがとう。
      If that person shared some songs that they singed/composed/played on net, you can also say

      すごい曲をシェアしてくれてありがとう
      素敵な歌を聞かせてくれてありがとう, etc.
      etc.

  8. Hello Maggie!
    Thank you for this wonderful lesson! You explain things very clearly, but I have one little question. Since 頂く is a more polite form of もらう, why is ~ていただき有り難う correct and ~てもらって有り難う wrong? Isn’t the degree of politeness the only difference between those two expressions? Is there some kind of explanation for this?

    1. @Armadillomon

      A great question.
      Hmm I wonder why…let’s figure it out together.

      〜くれてありがとう is the most natural way to say “Thank you for doing something (for me.)”
      and though some people say that in certain cases in conversation, 〜もらってありがとう doesn’t sound natural.

      For example if someone helped you, you say,

      Ex. 手伝ってくれてありがとう。
      Thank you for helping.

      but not

      Ex. 手伝ってもらってありがとう。

      It is mainly because もらう is used when you receive something (some service). So if you say 手伝ってもらってありがとう。it sounds like
      Thank you for getting some help from someone.

      ****
      Now when you use honorific expressions, technically we should use 下さる instead of 頂くbecause 下さる is a polite form of くれる.

      But we both use 〜頂きありがとうございます and ~ 〜下さり有り難うございます。nowadays even in business situations.

      As you say 頂く is a polite way to say もらう but when you say

      Ex. お手伝い頂き有り難うございました。

      It means more than receiving something, it shows the respect towards that person’s help.

      Hope this helps….

  9. 失礼ですが、間違いを見つけたようです。

    Ex. 重ねて御礼申し上げます。

    (=Atsuku orei moushiagemasu.)

    こちらの例のローマ字はkasanete orei moushiagemasu でしょうか?

    ご授業を頂き誠にありがとうございました

  10. I don’t oftenly post comments but I had to say
    どうも有り難うございました for this incredible lesson. You gave many many great examples that are going to be more than usefull . Thank you for taking time to do this excellent lesson .
    (^o^)/

  11. Did you delete in Greetings lesson??
    Which has been the first in the category daily life.. when click on it it just tells me page didn’t found.

  12. Sensei, may I throw some doubts in here? :)

    1) 本製品をお買い上げ頂きまして誠にありがとうございました。

    a) Does “honseihin” mean “the authentic product”?

    I can find the definition for “seihin” but not when attached with “hon”.

    b) Is the literal translation of this sentence: “We are really grateful that you bought the authentic product”?

    2) ご足労をおかけ致しました。

    Sensei, I have seen “kake” used several times since I started learning Japanese.

    a) Does this word, when used with the “i-stem” hold the meaning of “getting into”, “being subject to” X action/verb?

    b) Is there a specific kanji version for this word when used in this manner? Or is it intended to be used with Hiragana?

    3) そうですか?それではお言葉に甘えて…

    “Kotoba ni amaete…”

    Is the literal meaning of this phrase something like “I will indulge in your words, I will take advantage of your words” and accept your present then.

    4) 何と御礼を申し上げたらいいやら。

    I don’t know how to thank you.

    a) Can the literal meaning of this sentence be something like: “I don’t know how it would be ok for me to say thank you to you.”?

    b) “yara” is another way of saying “darou”, right sensei?

    5) “When someone does something for you or give you something, you receive it saying,

    Ex. 恐れいります”

    Sensei, I think I get the words “fear/anxiety/uneasiness” and “enter”. Does it mean “I enter fear/uneasiness as I receive your favor/gift.”, as in “I am uneasy to receive this from you”?

    Sensei may have realized by now that I tend to ask a lot for the literal meaning of things in Japanese. I feel like knowing the literal meaning of the pieces which then conform the expressions allow me to have a better understanding of things and hopefull end up allowing me to play with the words in the future. I am sorry if sensei feels thess questions are somewhat annoying. :(

    1. @NecroMadMat

      Great! Someone has been studying.
      1) No, 本 mean “this” here. So 本製品 means “this product”
      If you want to say “authentic”, you say 本物の

      2) This かけ is from a verb かける. The kanji is 掛ける
      掛ける is one of the verbs which has a lot of meaning. This case it means “to cause something negative”
      迷惑をかける= meiwaku wo kakeru = to trouble someone
      苦労をかける= to cause someone hardship
      So to cause (かける)”ご足労 = to trouble of going/coming all the way”

      3) Yes, that’s right. The literal meaning is “I will allow myself indulge in your words (kindness)”

      4) a)+b)
      何と御礼を申し上げたらいいやら
      this やら is the same as のか or as you said だろう and it is unfinished sentence.
      何と御礼を申し上げたらいいのかわかりません。/いいのだろう….= 何と御礼を申し上げたらいいやら…
      And your translation is correct.
      “I don’t know how I can express my gratitude. ”

      5) You are right. 恐れる means “to be scared” “To be afraid of” but the original kanji is 畏れる(=osoreru) it means “to awe”
      So 恐れいる means “to be in awe” いる is to be into that condition deeply.
      It is just one dramatic expression.

      ******
      To figure out the meaning by the literal meaning does help understand the words or phrases.
      And all your questions are good. Not annoying at all. !happyface!

      1. 1) Oh sensei, I get it. It is as in honjitsu = today. I think I got confused because I learned the meaning of “本” with the keyword of “source”, so I felt like the Japanese sentence was a disclaimer of gratitude for buying the “source product” from which people may be making fake copies. XD So wrong. XD

        I recall reading sensei’s “honmono” lesson so sensei has just reinforced that lesson for me. Thank you sensei. :)

        2) kake:

        Sensei, I recall hearing “hanashikakeru”, if I am not mistaken. Does this expression also have a negative connotation to it? Maybe it is has the nuance of “interrupting” what someone is doing by going to talk to them, right?

        4) Oh I think I get it. yara = noka. It is a subordinate clause, like sensei teach me before, right? A question about this sensei, is “yara” by any chance a “casual form of “noka” then?

        5) Oh, I do am familiar of “iru” sensei. :) I just took a bet it was the “iru” for “enter”. “Iru” for “need” was a runner up, I have to admit. lol The amount of homophone words in Japanese is really challenging, and when they lack the kanji in their written form they sometimes become a guessing game for me. :/

        Sensei, I have been thinking that once I finish asking all the doubts I have from sensei’s lessons, sensei could put a disclaimer above her lessons that could read something along the lines of: “In the comment section there will be questions from a student called “NecroMadMat”, chances are your doubts are already covered with his questions because he tends to ask questions about every little detail, including the most obvious questions. Feel free to check his comment before posting.” lol

        Thank you sensei, as always. :)

        1. @NecroMadMat

          2) 話しかける : Ah, Now I see your original question. This かける is different from かける in “ご足労をかける”/”迷惑をかける” and it doesn’t not “causing troubles”
          As I told you, there are many meanings of かける.
          When some action is done towards someone (or something), you use かける
          問いかける,笑いかける、訴えかける, etc.

          4) Yes. (And I’m sorry. I added a line in my previous comment but as you said it is also equivalent to “だろう”)
          Also やら shows one’s feeling of suspicion.
          どうなることやら… = I wonder what is going to happen.
          いつになることやら…= I wonder when it would happen…

          All of your questions are going to be very useful for many people. And you will become very famous here. People will say “Thank you! NecroMadMat!” !happyface!

          1. Got it sensei. :) I will try to do my best to identify what kind of “kakeru” is used in the context of the conversation. :)

            “All of your questions are going to be very useful for many people. And you will become very famous here. People will say “Thank you! NecroMadMat!”

            Self-esteem to the MAX! XD

            Thank you sensei. :)

  13. Thank you for this informative explanation of ways to express thanks and appreciation.

    I’m an advanced-level student of Japanese. I speak six other languages fluently, I’ve studied comparative linguistics and right now I’m living in Japan, using Japanese daily (speaking, reading, writing).

    What I still find VERY confusing, and, with all due respect, your explanation fails to explain (in fact, it glosses right over it) is the fact that most Japanese people do NOT say or write the particle “を” before the phrases “どうもありがとうございます” or “どうもありがとうございました.”

    So my question is, and I’ve looked EVERYWHERE for an answer (even a native Japanese speaker/teacher here was unable to answer; alas, she was also not a trained linguist), is:

    When should or must one use を immediately preceding either of these phrases and when is it permissible to NOT use this direct object-marking particle?

    Thank you for your time and attention.

    1. @Coco

      I added some information. It may not enough for you because I am not a linguistically trained dog :) and this site is just for fun but will keep adding inf whenever I get more examples.

  14. Thank you so much for all the insightful lessons.
    I’ve started watching Taiga dramas so, in this particular lesson, 有り難き幸せ was just the expression I was looking for. :)

    1. @m1zu

      Thank you for visiting this site!
      Oh, so you’ve been watching Taiga Drama? 有り難き幸せに存じまする! is a very typical line to show your appreciation in Samurai dramas.
      The language is very different from modern Japanese, huh?
      They also say かたじけない!(A humble way to say thank you in old days.)

      1. I still need english subtitles to understand everything in dramas, but I can see the language in Taiga is different and I’m especially enjoying the use honorific and humble verbs. It’s very interesting and getting better with more vocabulary learned each episode.

        Btw. I’m also following Victor on Youtube so, 皆様、心からありがとう存じまする。 :D

        1. @m1zu

          Haha! You can use 存じまする!!! I will forward your message to Victor. He might say かたじけない!

  15. Very nice!! I found this page today, very informative and in easy way . I learned a lot by reading this page, and I haven’t finished yet. I never thought of the actual meaning of arigatou , I never even know there is a kanji for it. thanks!

  16. I love this blog so much! Sincerely, thank you Maggie! いろいろ有り難うございます。}:I

  17. うん、前、ビデオを観て、すごく驚いてしまった!ありがとう!!
    そうそう、coworkerのgimmeaflakemanって、同じ会社で働いているということ?

  18. どういたしまして〜!マギー先生もありがとうございま〜す!いつもすごく便利で、豊富なレッスンを教えてくれてア•リ•ガ•ト•ウ〜!

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