How to Say Thank You in Japanese

How to Say Thank You Can Change Depending on Formality

In Japanese, the word for thank you itself changes according to the person someone is addressing. Consequently a traveler may choose the wrong form and be quite unaware of having done so. For this reason I would suggest making this particular form the go to way to say "thank you". It is suitable to use in shops, hotels, or to thank a stranger who has given you directions. There exist shorter forms such as ありがとう (arigatō) and どうも (dōmo), which friends use with one another quite naturally, but if one uses such a form with a person one has only just met, it may sound abrupt. When visiting Japan, using the polite phrase ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu) is the best way to give thanks.

A Nod of the Head When Saying Thank You

Thanks in Japan is usually accompanied by a small nod of the head. For speakers fluent in Japanese it happens naturally while one is speaking.

Being Thanked in Shops and Restaurants

In shops and restaurants one is often thanked first, at some length, and occasionally by several members of staff at once. There is no need to match this. One clear ありがとうございます as you leave is more than enough.

• ありがとう

  arigatō

  ah-ree-GAH-toh

  Casual. For friends, family and people younger than you - not for strangers.

• どうも

  dōmo

  DOH-moh

  A quick, light thanks. Fine for a shop assistant handing you change, too casual for a real favor.

• どうもありがとうございます

  dōmo arigatō gozaimasu

  DOH-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAI-mass

  The warmest everyday form, for something especially kind.

• ありがとうございました

  arigatō gozaimashita

  ah-ree-GAH-toh go-zai-MASH-tah

  Past tense, for something now finished - as you leave a restaurant or get out of a taxi.

• すみません

  sumimasen

  soo-mee-mah-SEN

  Thanks mixed with apology, for when someone has gone out of their way for you.