How to say "gratitude" in Japanese

• 感謝かんしゃJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbThe most versatile word for gratitude as a feeling or attitude: being thankful to someone. It fits everyday speech and writing alike, as in feeling or expressing thanks for help or kindness.
  ご協力きょうりょくに感謝かんしゃします。↗

  I appreciate your cooperation.
• 礼れいJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThanks or gratitude as expressed through an act — a bow, a greeting, a return favor. Often a marginal choice for the abstract sense of gratitude; it points to the gesture rather than the feeling itself.
  彼女かのじょの親切しんせつな助言じょげんに対たいして彼かれは礼れいを述のべた。↗

  He thanked her for her kind help.
• 謝意しゃいCommon
  nounGratitude expressed formally, typically in writing such as speeches, official statements, or acknowledgments. It conveys thanks in a stiff, document-like register rather than in casual conversation.
  彼女かのじょは自分じぶんの本ほんの中なかで彼かれの助力じょりょくに謝意しゃいを述のべた。↗

  She acknowledged his help in her book.
• お礼おれいJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounPolite thanks, often a concrete thank-you: a gift, a visit, or a message given to repay kindness. The polite (teineigo) form makes it the natural word when courteously offering or mentioning thanks.
  息子むすこに成り代なりかわってお礼れいを申し上もうしあげます。↗

  I thank you on behalf of my son.

Use 感謝 for the general feeling or expression of gratitude, 「お礼」 for polite thanks or a thank-you gift, 礼 for thanks as an act or gesture, and 謝意 for formal, written gratitude.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 感謝かんしゃthanks
• 礼れいthanks
• 謝意しゃいgratitude
• お礼おれいthanks
• 感恩かんおんgratitude
• 報恩ほうおんrepaying a kindness
• 謝恩しゃおん(expression of) gratitude
• 気持ちきもちthought