Expressing Gratitude
Kansha 感謝
There are several ways to say "thank you", from informal to very polite. They are:
Arigatö ありがとう
Domo arigato どうもありがとう
Arigatogozaimasu ありがとうございます, and
Domo arigato gozaimasu どうもありがとうございます。
You can also use the past tense gozaimashita. As a general rule, when the action is happening or will happen, say Arigato gozaimasu, for example, when you are being handed a present. When the action is completed, say Arigato gozaimashita, for example, when you have received a present in the mail and are thanking the sender by phone. An appropriate response is Do itashimashite どういたしまして You're welcome, or Kochira koso こちらこそ On the contrary, let me thank you.
Sumimasen すみません Thank you
This is an apology but is often used to thank someone when you've put
them to some trouble. Similar expressions include: O-tesü o kakemashita お手数を掛けました and ご迷惑をかけました Go-meiwaku o kakemashita. In response, say Do itashimashite どう致しまして You're welcome, or Okamai naku No worries.
O-sewa ni naramashita お世話になりました。I'm obliged to you
This is the best way to thank someone who has spent time helping
you. When you want to thank someone who has shown you around, say something like:
• O-sewa ni narimashita. Go-annai itadaite, yokatta desu.
お世話になりました。ご案内いただいて、よかったです。
Thank you very much for all your kindness. It was great having you take us around.
Tasukarimashita
助かりました
You've been a great help
If someone has helped you with a translation, you can thank them like
this:
O-kage-sama de shimekiri ni ma-ni-atte, tasukarimashita.
おかげさまで締め切りに間に合って、助かりました。
Thanks to you I made the deadline. You were a great help.
Go-kuro-sama ご苦労様 Thank you for your help
This is a traditional phrase expressing appreciation to someone who has
finished working. You can use it to thank someone who's done a job or
service for you. It may be inappropriate when addressing superiors and
you might be better off using O-tsukare-sama instead.
O-tsukare-sama お疲れ様 Thank you for your help work
Originating in the entertainment world this is now interchangeable with Go-kuro-sama, and perhaps more widely used. When a colleague leaves the office to go home and says O-saki ni t1, respond with O-tsukare-sama.
Kyoshuku desu 恐縮です Osoreiremasu 恐れ入れます。
I am very grateful
The literal meaning of these phrases is "I shrink with fear (in the face of your great kindness)". If someone has unexpectedly done something nice to you, you can offer thanks by saying:
• Sorewa sorewa, domo, kyoshuku desu.
それはそれはどうも。恐縮です。
This really is too much. Thank you.
Itadakimasu
いただきます
Thank you (lit. I receive)
Everyone says this before starting a meal or snack. Itadakimasu is the
humble form of the verb morau, to receive, and is used extensively in
respect language.
Gochiső-sama deshita ごちそうさまでした
Thank you (lit. It was a feast)
This is how you say "thank you" when finishing a meal or snack.