How to Say Thank You in Japanese
Learn how to say thank you in Japanese. 'Arigatō' (ありがとう) is casual; 'Arigatō gozaimasu' is polite. Pronunciation guide + the levels of Japanese gratitude and etiquette.
Published · 1 min read · Free · No sign-up
Quick answer
To say thank you in Japanese, say 'Arigatō' (ありがとう, ah-ree-gah-toh) casually, or 'Arigatō gozaimasu' (ありがとうございます) politely. The longer the phrase, the more polite it is. For a quick casual thanks, 'Dōmo' (どうも) works; for deep gratitude, 'Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu' is the fullest, most polite form.
ありがとう
/ah-ree-gah-toh/ — Japanese
How to Say Thank You in Japanese
Gratitude is central to Japanese culture, and the word Arigatō is one of the most recognized Japanese words worldwide. The key thing to learn is the politeness levels — in Japanese, a longer phrase is a more polite one.
The Core Word: Arigatō
ありがとう — Arigatō — pronounced ah-ree-gah-toh
This is the casual “thanks.” The long final ō (held vowel) is important.
Copy the Phrase
The Japanese word for “thank you” is ありがとう (Arigatō, ah-ree-gah-toh).
The Politeness Ladder
In Japanese, the longer the phrase, the more polite it is:
| Japanese | Romaji | Politeness |
|---|---|---|
| どうも | Dōmo | Very casual (“thanks”) |
| ありがとう | Arigatō | Casual (friends, family) |
| ありがとうございます | Arigatō gozaimasu | Polite (default safe choice) |
| どうもありがとうございます | Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu | Very polite/formal |
Use Arigatō gozaimasu as your default — it’s polite and appropriate in almost any situation.
Past Tense: Thanking After the Fact
Japanese even changes the phrase based on timing:
- Arigatō gozaimasu (ございます) — thanking for something happening now or ongoing
- Arigatō gozaimashita (ございました) — thanking for something already completed (e.g., as you leave a shop or after receiving help)
The past-tense gozaimashita is a subtle but appreciated touch.
Pronunciation Notes
- a-ri-ga-tō — four even syllables
- The r is a soft, light tap (between English ‘r’ and ‘l’)
- The macron ō (in tō) means a lengthened vowel — hold the “oh”
- Keep syllables even; avoid heavy English-style stress
”Dōmo” — The Swiss Army Word
どうも (Dōmo) is wonderfully flexible. It can mean:
- Thanks (casual, short for dōmo arigatō)
- Hello / hi
- Sorry
- Indeed / very
As a casual “thanks!”, Dōmo is extremely common in everyday life.
How to Respond to Thanks
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| どういたしまして | Dō itashimashite | You’re welcome (polite) |
| いいえ | Iie | No, no (waving off thanks) |
| 大丈夫 | Daijōbu | It’s fine / no problem |
| いいよ | Ii yo | It’s okay (casual) |
Dō itashimashite (doh ee-tah-shee-mash-teh) is the textbook “you’re welcome.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce Arigatō?
'Arigatō' is pronounced ah-ree-gah-toh (ありがとう). Four syllables with a long final 'o': a-ri-ga-tō. The 'r' is a soft, light tap (between an English 'r' and 'l'). The macron over the ō (tō) means the vowel is held longer — 'toh' is stretched. Avoid the English 'a-ri-GA-to' stress; keep the syllables even with that lengthened final 'oh'.
What is the difference between Arigatō and Arigatō gozaimasu?
Politeness level — and in Japanese, longer = more polite. 'Arigatō' (ありがとう) is casual, for friends and family. 'Arigatō gozaimasu' (ありがとうございます) is polite/formal, for strangers, elders, service staff, and professional settings. 'Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu' is the most polite. There's also past-tense 'Arigatō gozaimashita' for thanking after something is already done.
What does Dōmo mean?
'Dōmo' (どうも) is a versatile, casual word that can mean 'thanks' (short for dōmo arigatō), but also 'hello,' 'sorry,' or 'indeed,' depending on context. As a quick, informal 'thanks,' 'Dōmo' is very common — like a casual 'thanks!' On its own it's casual; 'Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu' uses it as an intensifier ('thank you very much').
Is it 'Domo arigato' like the song?
Yes — 'Dōmo arigatō' (どうもありがとう) means 'thank you very much,' and 'Dōmo arigatō, Mr. Roboto' from the Styx song uses it correctly (though the song's delivery isn't natural Japanese). 'Dōmo arigatō' is real and common; adding 'gozaimasu' makes it more polite: 'Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu.'
How do you respond to thank you in Japanese?
The standard reply is 'Dō itashimashite' (どういたしまして, doh ee-tah-shee-mash-teh) = 'you're welcome.' Casual alternatives: 'Iie iie' (no no — waving off thanks), 'Daijōbu' (it's fine), or among young people 'Ii yo' (it's okay). In casual settings, a simple smile or 'Un' (yeah) is common too. 'Dō itashimashite' is the polite, textbook response.