Say Like a Local

Ways to Say "Thank You" in Japanese

Japanese has a casual ありがとう and a polite ありがとうございます, and the polite one is the safest choice with strangers, coworkers and anyone older than you. Among friends and family, the short ありがとう is what people actually say.

The most common way

arigatou gozaimasu

Thank you — the standard polite thank-you that works in almost any situation with strangers, staff, coworkers or people above you.

How to say it: The 'r' in ありがとう is a single light tap, like the tt in American 'butter', not an English 'r'; the final 'u' of ございます is whispered, so it ends almost like 'gozaimas'.

Other ways to say it

  • casual

    arigatou

    Thanks — warm and direct, with no politeness layer attached.

    When to use it: With friends, family, a partner or close coworkers your own age.

  • light and quick

    doumo

    Thanks / cheers — a short, slightly reserved thank-you that doesn't make a big deal of it.

    When to use it: For small everyday favours, like someone holding a door or passing you something, especially with acquaintances or shop staff.

  • grateful for help

    tasukarimashita

    That really helped me out / I'm saved — thanks for getting me out of trouble.

    When to use it: When someone has actually solved a problem for you: covered a shift, fixed your computer, gave you directions when you were lost.

  • formal, professional

    kansha itashimasu

    I'm sincerely grateful — an explicit, businesslike thank-you that signals respect.

    When to use it: In emails, speeches, or to a client, customer or senior colleague in a work setting.

  • parting, indebted

    osewa ni narimashita

    Thank you for everything you've done for me — gratitude for a whole period of help, said as you part.

    When to use it: When leaving a job, saying goodbye to a host family, or at the end of a contract or school year.

In a conversation

  1. A

    、、。

    A, saifu, otoshimashita yo.

    Oh, you dropped your wallet.

  2. B

    、。！

    E, hontou desu ka. Arigatou gozaimasu!

    Oh, really? Thank you so much!

  3. A

    、。

    Ie ie, ki o tsukete kudasai ne.

    No worries, take care.

  4. B

    。

    Tasukarimashita.

    You really saved me.

Common mistakes

  • ありがとうございますです → ありがとうございます

    ございます already makes the phrase polite, so adding です doubles the politeness and sounds wrong.

  • 先生、ありがとう。 → 先生、ありがとうございます。

    The plain ありがとう is for friends and family; to a teacher, boss or stranger the polite form is expected.