When learning a new language, especially one as culturally rich as Japanese, understanding basic expressions of politeness is essential. One of the first words learners often come across is “arigato”. But what is the arigato meaning in English? Simply put, it translates to "thank you" — a heartfelt and humble expression of gratitude.
Whether you’re traveling to Japan, studying the language, or just curious about Japanese culture, learning the correct ways to say thank you is not just practical — it's also a window into Japanese values of respect and humility. This article explores the meaning of “arigato”, its variations, and 15 other expressions used to show appreciation in Japanese, along with cultural nuances and appropriate replies.
Arigato" in English means "thank you". It is a simple and common way to express gratitude in Japanese. A more formal way to say thank you in Japanese is "arigato gozaimasu", which translates to "thank you very much" or "you have my thanks.
Despite popular speculation that arigato comes from the Portuguese for “thank you,” obrigado, arigato was in use in Japan well before any contact with Portugal.
Arigato (ありがとう) comes from the words arigatashi (“to be”) and katai (“difficult”). Arigato, then, has a literal sense of “being alive is hard.”
Arigato became used to express gratitude (in appreciation of goodness despite life’s challenges), eventually morphing into a more general expression of thanks over time.
Fast-forward to the United States in the 1980s. The Japanese economy was booming, Shogun was a huge hit on TV, and an obsession with all things Japanese, especially electronics and sushi, swept the country.
Gratitude is expressed in multiple ways in Japanese, depending on context, formality, and tone. Here are 15 useful expressions of thanks in Japanese, along with their meanings and usage:
Meaning: Thank you
Pronunciation: ah-ree-gah-toh
About: The short answer to “how do you say thank you in Japanese?” is arigatou. That’s the word that most directly translates to a simple “thank you.” So, if that’s all you wanted, hey, problem solved. But wait – don’t you want to know how to use it correctly and when not to use it?
Whether you want to learn Japanese or just master a few key phrases, learning how to say thank you in Japanese is a must.
Meaning: Thank you (polite)
Pronunciation: ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zah-ee-mahs
About: This is probably the most handy phrase for thank you. It’s a little more polite than a simple arigatou, making it more work-appropriate, more appropriate for strangers and new friends, and more appropriate for addressing someone who has really helped you.
While Arigatou Alone is something you could say casually to a shopkeeper, it could come off a little flippant, and as a foreigner visiting a new place, you want to put your best foot forward.
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Meaning: Thank you very much
Pronunciation: doh-moh ah-ree-gah-toh
About: This is another slight level up from a plain arigatou, but it’s a little more friendly and casual than arigatou gozaimasu.
This would be better for use with friends, family, and younger people to express your gratitude. Doumo on its own can also be used in casual settings, but we’ll get to that later.
Meaning: Thank you very much (extra polite)
Pronunciation: doh-moh ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zah-ee-mahs
About: This is the big momma of saying “thank you very much.” Japanese people tend to appreciate a little extra politeness here and there, so if you want to impress upon someone that you’re really grateful, you should toss out adoumo arigatou gozaimasu, maybe with a bow.
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Meaning: Really, thank you very much
Pronunciation: hohn-toh-nee ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zah-ee-mahs
About: Addinghontonionto your arigatou gozaimasu is like adding a “really” or “truly” – it’s just a little extra emphasis. This is a little less common, but if you’re looking to mix up your thank yous a little, hontoni is a great addition to jazz things up. It’s polite and adds emphasis.
Meaning: Thank you (past tense)
Pronunciation: ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zah-ee-mah-shee-tah
About: This is just like arigatou gozaimasu but is used exclusively for something that’s already completed.
For example, you could say it at the end of a business dinner or when someone has completed a service for you (for example, if you were really thankful for a great haircut and wanted to say so on the way out). This can also be used when someone has done you a favor or something along those lines – what matters is that whatever you’re saying thank you for is over and done.
Meaning: Thank you very much (humble)
Pronunciation: ha-ee-shah moh-shee-ah-geh-mas
About: This is a polite and humble way to say thank you to someone who is above you in social status, especially someone older than you like an elder or a parent. It has a connotation with putting yourself below the person you’re thanking.
Meaning: Excuse me, sorry
Pronunciation: soo-mee-mah-sehn
About: When it comes to a more formal thank you in Japanese, you’ll find that many of the phrases include an apology. This is basically a way of including a thank you to the person you’re addressing for their time, care, hard work, attention, and so on. It’s more humble and polite, which is standard in Japanese formal and business speech.
Meaning: I’m deeply sorry
Pronunciation: oh-soh-rey-ree-mahs
About: This is like a super amped up, much more formal version of what we just talked about above with sumimasen. This is the most formal of the formal “I’m sorry thank yous” and is most commonly used when thanking a superior or client at work.
You’re basically thanking someone from the bottom of your heart by apologizing deeply that they’ve been so inconvenienced by doing something for you. This is a pretty heavy duty phrase – it can also be used to express condolences and expresses, to a certain degree, being in awe of the person you’re thanking.
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Meaning: You must be tired; you’ve worked hard
Pronunciation: oht-soo-kah-reh sah-mah dehs
About: This is a multipurpose phrase, most commonly used at the office. It means something like “good job” or “you’ve been working hard” but is often used as a greeting for colleagues as well as a congratulatory phrase or thank you in Japanese.
You could say this if someone did a good job on a presentation you worked on together or to thank them for sending out an email.
Meaning: I am thankful for this food
Pronunciation: ee-tah-dah-kee-mahs
About: This version of saying “thank you for the food” in Japanese is really something more than a simple thank you. It’s a recognition of the whole chain of food and people that brought the food to your plate.
You say it once before you begin eating, often while also bowing your head slightly and putting your hands together, as a grateful and polite acknowledgement of everything that went into your meal.
Think of it as thanking the waiter, the chef, the fishmonger, and the fish itself. It’s non-secular and something most Japanese say before every meal.
Meaning: Thank you for the feast
Pronunciation: go-chee-soh-sah-mah desh-tah
About: Another Japanese thank you for the food phrase, gochisousama deshita is the partner to itadakimasu, but this phrase comes after the meal and is more directly addressing the people who cooked and served you the food.
You’re basically saying that you really appreciate it and that they gave you enough food. Like, “Wow! What a meal!” .
You can also use it to thank the person who picked up the bill, but be careful – saying it to someone before they’ve paid or offered to pay can come across as cheeky and presumptuous, like you’re expecting them to pay for you.
Meaning: Thanks
Pronunciation: doh-moh
About: For a fun, casual “thanks,” a simple doumo (from doumo arigatou) is a popular option. This is useful for thanking close peers and friends, but would be a little casual for the workplace.
You’ll hear it most often used among younger people, including in informal cafés, pubs, and shops, but should opt for something more polite in more formal contexts, like nice restaurants or at the office.
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Meaning: Thank you
Pronunciation: Sankyu is a Japanese slang version of the English “thank you”
About: This is very much a cool kid, slangy phrase that you might hear among young people, especially young men.
As an English speaker, you should probably stick with just saying “thank you” or one of the other options on this list, but we’re including it in case you come across it in the wild!
Meaning: Thanks! Cheers! (Cheers in the thanks sense, not in the drinking sense!)
Pronunciation: ah-zahs
About: Azasu is a super shortened arigatou gozaimasu, used mostly by school kids, in anime, and by young people hanging out with friends. This is informal slang for a quick thanks and shouldn’t be used with strangers or anywhere where someone might be offended by your lack of politeness (so not at work or with elders!).
On platforms like Quora, people often ask about the difference between “arigato” and “arigatou gozaimasu.” While “arigato” is casual and friendly, “arigatou gozaimasu” adds a layer of politeness and respect.
Breaking it down:
So when you say “arigatou gozaimasu”, you're essentially saying, “I humbly thank you.” It's the preferred expression in most everyday formal interactions, like thanking shopkeepers, teachers, or service providers.
Lets learn how to reply when someone says Arigato. When someone says “arigato” or “arigatou gozaimasu”, how should you reply?
Here are a few options:
In Japanese, the most common reply of Arigato would be:
In fact, in Japanese culture, sometimes people reply with a humble nod or another polite expression rather than directly saying “dou itashimashite.” Humility plays a key role in Japanese communication, so acknowledging gratitude can be done subtly.
You may have heard the term “nya arigato” in anime or online memes. Let's break it down:
So, “nya arigato” is a cute or playful way of saying thank you, often mimicking how a cat would say it. It’s typically used in anime, cosplay communities, or kawaii (cute) culture. You wouldn’t hear this in formal conversation—it’s more of a fun and affectionate way to express gratitude in casual or fan-driven settings.
Understanding the arigato meaning is more than just translating a word from Japanese to English. It’s about recognizing the depth of emotion and respect that Japanese culture places on gratitude. From the casual “arigato” to the formal “arigatou gozaimashita,” every version of thank you serves a purpose — reflecting the relationship, context, and tone of the interaction.
So next time someone helps you out in Japan or offers you kindness, respond with a heartfelt “arigatou gozaimasu.” You won’t just be using the right phrase — you’ll be embracing a beautiful part of Japanese culture.
1. What is the reply to Arigato?
The common and polite reply to “Arigato” is “Dou itashimashite” (どういたしまして), which means “You’re welcome.” In casual settings, a smile or nod may also suffice.
2. Does Arigato mean I love you?
No, “Arigato” means “thank you” in Japanese. It expresses gratitude, not affection. “I love you” in Japanese is usually said as “Aishiteru” (愛してる).
3. What does Arigato Gozaimasu ❤ mean?
“Arigato Gozaimasu” (ありがとうございます) is a very polite way to say “Thank you.” The heart symbol ❤ simply adds a warm or affectionate tone.
4. Does Arigato mean bye?
No, “Arigato” does not mean “bye.” It specifically means “thank you.” To say goodbye in Japanese, phrases like “Sayonara” (さようなら) or “Ja ne” (じゃね) are used.
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