- ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu) is the safe, polite default.
- ありがとう (arigatō) is casual, for friends and family.
- ありがとうございました (past tense) thanks someone for something that’s finished, like a meal or a service.
- すみません often means thank you when someone went to trouble for you.
- Reply with どういたしまして or, more naturally, いえいえ.
The three you’ll use every day
- ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasuThank you (polite)The default with strangers, staff, colleagues and anyone older.
- ありがとうarigatōThanks (casual)For friends, family and people younger than you.
- ありがとうございましたarigatō gozaimashitaThank you (for what you did)Past tense. Said when leaving a shop, after a lesson, at the end of a meeting.
The difference between the last two trips up many learners. ございます thanks someone for something ongoing or right now; ございました thanks them for something that is over. When you leave a restaurant, the staff say ありがとうございました: thank you for having eaten with us.
Casual and quick
- どうもdōmoThanksShort and handy, e.g. when someone holds the door. Can feel a little curt on its own.
- どうもありがとうdōmo arigatōThanks a lotWarmer than ありがとう alone.
- どうもありがとうございますdōmo arigatō gozaimasuThank you very muchPolite and emphatic.
- サンキューsankyūThank you (from English)Playful and casual, among friends.
すみません: the thank-you that sounds like sorry
すみません literally expresses that something isn’t settled: you owe someone. That’s why it works as both excuse me, sorry and thank you. Use it when someone goes out of their way for you: picking up something you dropped, bringing you water, making room on the train.
- すみませんsumimasenThank you (sorry for the trouble)
- すみません、ありがとうございますsumimasen, arigatō gozaimasuOh, thank you so muchVery natural combination.
Formal and business situations
- おそれいりますosoreirimasuThank you (very humble)Common in customer service and formal business.
- おせわになりましたosewa ni narimashitaThank you for all your helpWhen leaving a job, a host family or at the end of a long collaboration.
- かんしゃしていますkansha shite imasuI am grateful感謝 (kansha) = gratitude. Formal, used in speeches and writing.
Thanks at the table
- いただきますitadakimasu(said before eating)A thank-you for the food and everyone who made it.
- ごちそうさまでしたgochisōsama deshita(said after eating)Also said to someone who paid for your meal, and to restaurant staff when leaving.
A regional bonus: おおきに
In the Kansai region, around Osaka and Kyoto, you’ll hear おおきに (ōkini), a traditional local way to say thank you. You don’t need to use it, but you’ll make shopkeepers smile if you recognise it.
How to reply to thank you
- どういたしましてdō itashimashiteYou’re welcomeCorrect, but a little formal and textbook-like in daily life.
- いえいえie ieNot at all / No noThe most natural everyday reply.
- とんでもないですtondemonai desuNot at all (polite)Humble, often in business.
- こちらこそkochira kosoLikewise / Thank *you*When you’re grateful too.
Which thank you when?
| Situation | Say |
|---|---|
| Friend passes you the salt | ありがとう |
| Shop staff hand you your change | ありがとうございます |
| Leaving a restaurant | ごちそうさまでした or ありがとうございました |
| Stranger picks up your dropped phone | すみません、ありがとうございます |
| Last day at a job | おせわになりました |
| Someone thanks you | いえいえ |
You’re leaving a shop after buying something. The staff will most likely say:
A friend helps you carry a box. Casual thanks:
Someone says ありがとう to you. The most natural reply:
Next: learn how to say sorry and excuse me, and the full set of Japanese greetings.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say thank you in Japanese?
The polite form is ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu). With friends, say ありがとう (arigatō). To thank someone for something that has finished, use ありがとうございました (arigatō gozaimashita).
What is the difference between arigatō gozaimasu and arigatō gozaimashita?
Gozaimasu is present tense and thanks someone now or for something ongoing. Gozaimashita is past tense and thanks someone for something that has been completed, like a meal, a purchase or a lesson.
How do you say you're welcome in Japanese?
The textbook answer is どういたしまして (dō itashimashite). In everyday conversation, いえいえ (ie ie, 'not at all') is more common and sounds more natural.
Is dōmo arigatō polite?
どうもありがとう is friendly and slightly casual. For full politeness, say どうもありがとうございます.