How to Say ‘Thank you’ in Japanese
ありがとうございます
arigatou gozai masu
[arigatou gozai masu]
💬 Usage Tip: [ありがとう] becomes more polite with [ございます] added: [ありがとうございます]. For a friend you might just say [ありがとう], but this full form is the safe everyday choice with people you don't know well.
🇯🇵 In Japan: [ありがとうございます] is standard polite Japanese and works well with staff, strangers, or anyone you want to be respectful to. In Japan, thanking people clearly and often is very normal in small everyday interactions.
Phrase Breakdown
ありがとう
arigatou
[arigatou]
thank you
Expresses gratitude or thanks.
お店が見つかったので、ありがとう。
Thanks for finding the shop.
ございます
gozai masu
polite
A polite continuation of 'thank you'.
こんにちは、ありがとうございます。
Hello, thank you very much.
Words in this phrase
ござい
gozai
[gozai]
is (polite)
A polite form of 'be' or 'exist'.
それがあります。
There is that.
ます
masu
[masu]
ます (politeness suffix)
A suffix that adds politeness.
本を読みます。
I will read a book.
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