How to Say Thank You in Japanese
Learn how to say thank you in Japanese with correct pronunciation. Covers formal, casual, and situational variations so you sound natural, not like a textbook.
Japanese has multiple ways to say thank you, and using the wrong one in the wrong context can range from mildly awkward to genuinely rude. The level of formality you use depends on who you are speaking to, your relationship with them, and the situation.
As a visitor or beginner you can get a long way on one phrase. "Arigatou gozaimasu" is the standard polite form, it works in the vast majority of situations, and it is never inappropriate. The rest of this guide is about the cases where something else fits better.
This guide covers the main expressions of gratitude in Japanese, when to use each one, how to pronounce them correctly, and the body language that goes with them. Japanese communication relies heavily on context and physical cues, so knowing when to bow and how deeply matters just as much as the words themselves.
Learn arigatou gozaimasu for most situations
"Arigatou gozaimasu" (ah-ree-GAH-toh go-zah-ee-MAHSS) is the standard, polite way to say thank you in Japanese. Use it with shopkeepers, restaurant staff, hotel employees, strangers, coworkers, and anyone you do not know well. It is appropriate in almost every situation and is never too formal or too casual. Break it down: "arigatou" means thank you, and "gozaimasu" adds politeness. Think of "gozaimasu" as turning a casual thanks into a proper one. The final "u" in both words is barely voiced. Japanese vowels at the end of words are often whispered or dropped entirely in natural speech. So it sounds more like "ah-ree-GAH-toh go-zah-ee-MAHSS" than "ah-ree-GAH-toh-oo go-zah-ee-MAH-soo."
Good to know: Practice saying "arigatou gozaimasu" slowly ten times, then gradually speed up. The rhythm should flow smoothly without pausing between the two words. Native speakers say it as one continuous phrase, not two separate words.
Use arigatou for casual situations
"Arigatou" (ah-ree-GAH-toh) by itself is the casual version. Use it with friends, family, people your age in relaxed settings, and in situations where formality would feel stiff. It is the equivalent of "thanks" versus "thank you very much." If you are grabbing a coffee with a friend and they hold the door, "arigatou" is perfect. If a stranger helps you with directions, use the full "arigatou gozaimasu." When in doubt about the formality level, default to the full form. Being slightly more polite than necessary is never offensive in Japanese culture, but being too casual with someone you should respect can be.
Know domo for very quick thanks
"Domo" (DOH-moh) is the most casual way to express thanks. It roughly translates to "hey, thanks" and is used between close friends, or as a quick acknowledgment. You might hear it when someone passes a beer across the table. Save it for people you already know, and use the fuller forms with anyone older than you or in a service role. Think of "domo" as the head-nod version of thank you. You can also say "domo arigatou" which falls between "domo" and the full formal version in politeness. It is a warm, sincere thank you without the full formality of "gozaimasu."
Use past tense for things already done
"Arigatou gozaimashita" (ah-ree-GAH-toh go-zah-ee-mah-SHEE-tah) is the past-tense form. Use it when thanking someone for something they already completed. After a meal at a restaurant, when leaving a shop where the staff helped you, after a tour guide finishes a tour, or when saying goodbye to someone who hosted you. The difference is subtle but meaningful. "Arigatou gozaimasu" thanks someone in the present moment (as they hand you your change). "Arigatou gozaimashita" thanks them for the completed experience (as you leave the store). Both are polite. Using the past tense shows awareness and thoughtfulness.
Add a bow for sincerity
In Japanese culture, a bow accompanies verbal thanks and adds sincerity. The deeper the bow, the more gratitude or respect you are expressing. For everyday thanks (shopkeeper, waiter, colleague), a slight nod of the head about 15 degrees is appropriate. For more significant gratitude (someone went out of their way to help you, a formal introduction, receiving a gift), bow about 30 degrees from the waist. Keep your back straight, arms at your sides, and eyes looking down during the bow. The timing matters too. Bow while saying thank you or immediately after, not before. You do not need to hold the bow for long. A second or two is fine for everyday situations.
Respond to thank you correctly
When someone thanks you in Japanese, there are two common responses. "Dou itashimashite" (doh ee-tah-shee-MAH-shee-teh) means "you are welcome." "Iie" (ee-EH) means "no, no" in the sense of "it was nothing." In casual situations, you might also hear "iin da yo" (it is fine) or just a smile and a small bow. As a visitor, a smile with a small nod is always appropriate when someone thanks you. If you want to say "you are welcome," "iie" with a small hand wave is the most natural and easiest to remember.
Making the effort in Japanese, even imperfectly, changes the tone of an interaction. A well-pronounced "arigatou gozaimasu" with a slight bow travels everywhere from convenience stores to temples. Do not worry about perfection. Focus on "arigatou gozaimasu" for most situations, add the bow, and you will communicate gratitude clearly and respectfully. The other forms are useful to recognize when you hear them, and to use once you feel more comfortable with the basics.
Questions we get asked about this
Answers from experience, not a textbook.
It depends on context. With friends and peers in casual settings, "arigatou" alone is perfectly fine. With service workers, strangers, elders, or in any professional setting, dropping "gozaimasu" can come across as too casual or slightly disrespectful. When in doubt, always use the full form. No one will be offended by too much politeness, but some may notice too little.
Not necessarily. In casual situations with friends, a verbal thank you is enough. In shops and restaurants, a small nod of the head is common and appreciated but not strictly required. For more formal situations or when someone has done something significant for you, a proper bow is expected and shows genuine appreciation. As a foreigner, any effort to bow is noticed and appreciated, even if your form is not perfect.
People will still understand you and appreciate the effort. The two mistakes worth watching for are emphasizing the wrong syllable (it should be ah-ree-GAH-toh, not AH-ree-gah-toh) and fully voicing the final vowels. Even with imperfect pronunciation, the gesture of speaking Japanese shows respect and is received warmly. Practice improves pronunciation naturally over time.
Yes. "Sumimasen" (soo-mee-mah-SEN) means "excuse me" but is frequently used as "thank you" when someone has gone to trouble for you. It carries a nuance of "I am sorry for the inconvenience and grateful for your help." You might use it when someone picks up something you dropped or gives you their seat on the train. "Osewa ni narimashita" is used in business to thank someone for their ongoing support or mentorship. These are more advanced but useful to recognize when you hear them.
Words & Pronunciation
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How to Say Thank You in Japanese
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