How to say "thanks" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- interjectionThe word you actually say to thank someone directly, covering casual 'thanks' through fuller 'thank you'; normally written in kana, it stands alone as an utterance rather than naming the feeling.ありがとう。また、次の日にくるようにします。↗Thanks. Maybe we'll come back.
- 感謝かんしゃnoun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbA noun for gratitude as a feeling — appreciation or thankfulness; use it when speaking about being thankful, or in fuller, more considered expressions of thanks than a quick spoken word.
- 礼れいnounA noun for thanks or gratitude, more formal than ありがとう; it normally appears within expressions for giving thanks rather than standing alone as a spoken word of thanks.
- お礼おれいnounThe polite (teineigo) counterpart of 礼: thanks or gratitude expressed in courteous speech; use it when you want to sound polite in thanking someone or referring to your thanks.
- 謝意しゃいnounA stiff, formal noun for gratitude, at home in written acknowledgments and formal statements; as a way of actually saying 'thanks' to someone it is marginal — you would not thank anyone with it.
Choose 「ありがとう」 to thank someone directly in speech; among the nouns for gratitude, 感謝 is the general one, 「お礼」 the polite one, 礼 the formal one, and 謝意 the stiff written one.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- ありがとうthank you
- 感謝かんしゃthanks
- 礼れいthanks
- お礼おれいthanks
- 謝意しゃいgratitude
- どうもthank you
- サンキューthank you
- あーとthanks
- あざーっすthanks
- あざますthanks
- ごっつぁんthanks
- サンクスthanks
- 謝謝シェシェthanks
- あんがとthanks
- グラシアスthanks
- お疲れおつかれthanks (for coming, helping, etc.)
- あざまるthanks
- おめありthanks (for the congratulations)
- トンクスthanks
- ねぎらいexpression of appreciation (for someone's efforts)
- ありがとthank you
- 蟻が１０匹ありがじゅっぴきthank you
- サンガツthank you
See also
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