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Expressing Gratitude

As you may or may not know, Japanese are usually extraordinarily polite. They are also usually very accommodating and will often go completely out of their way to make you comfortable, provide you with assistance and show you Japan as they know it. Therefore let’s get you prepared for showing your appreciation and gratitude!!

Let’s start with the basic words which will take you a long way in the eyes of a Japanese person:

Arigatou = Thank you (normal)
Arigatou gozaimasu = Thank you (more polite)
Domo arigatou gozaimasu = Thank you very much (polite)

Let’s look at these in hiragana, just to get you familiar:

＜日本語＞ “あ りがとう。”

“Arigatou”
“Thank you (normal).”

＜日本語＞ “あ りがとうございます。”

“Arigatou gozaimasu”
“Thank you (more polite).”

＜日本語＞ “どうもあ りがとうございます。”
“Doumo arigatou gozaimasu”
“Thank you very much (polite).”

It really is that easy but let’s step it up a little to include an expression of gratitude for doing something. Here are the words you’re going to need:

Sore = that
Totemo = really
Kansha = appreciation
Shimasu = do (in this case to appreciate)
Arigatou gozaimasu = Thank you

Let’s see it in action

＜日本語＞ “それをとてもかんしゃします。あ りがとうございます”

“Sore o totemo kansha shimasu. Arigatou gozaimasu.”
“I really appreciate that. Thank you.”

It’s a bit of a mouthful but you will warm the hearts of those that have done you a favor no end.