sample thank you speech in japanese

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“Thank You” in Japanese: Politeness, Formality and Useful Phrases

Japan is a country not only fixated on proper manners and etiquette, but also on gift-giving and various parties or events. In this kind of culture, it’s important to learn how to thank people when they invite you out, offer you a present, or even show you the way to the station. In this article, we’ll break down just how politely you should say thank you to your friends as opposed to your boss. We’ll also explore the many ways of saying thank you in Japanese.

Japanese Levels of Formality

There are four basic categories of honorific speech in Japanese: casual, teineigo, sonkeigo, and kenjougo . Depending on how well you know the person to whom you are speaking and what sort of relationship you have, one or more of categories might be inappropriate—even if you’re just saying, “thank you.”

It’s important to understand the basic rules for honorific Japanese so you don’t have an awkward conversation. Here’s a quick run-through of the rules for each level of honorific Japanese, as well as the situations in which to use them.

Casual Japanese

The rules of honorific Japanese are based on two things: seniority/experience and the concept of 内外 (うちそと、 uchi soto ), or inside/outside . Typically, if the person you’re speaking to is your age or younger, you can speak to them in casual Japanese. The same goes for people who are uchi , or within your personal social circle.

Casual Japanese involves any slang words, replacing -です (- desu ) with -だ ( -da ), and if you identify as male, feeling free to refer to yourself as 俺 (おれ、 ore ). It is inadvisable to use casual Japanese with a person who is clearly older or more experienced than yourself, especially if you’ve just met them.

丁寧語 (ていねいご、 teineigo ) – Polite Form

Teineigo is the basic polite form of Japanese that you would find in a textbook. It’s a good go-to form if you’re unsure of what honorific level to use. Teineigo can be used at work, with a stranger or new acquaintance of any age, and even with people inside your immediate social circle.

Basic teineigo involves adding the suffixes -です/-ます ( -desu/-masu ) to the ends of sentences or verbs and referring to yourself only as 私 (わたし、 watashi ). The only point at which teineigo might be inappropriate to use is when you’re speaking to someone who has a close relationship with you. It might be seen as too polite, or even stiff and unfriendly.

尊敬語 (そんけいご、 sonkeigo ) – Honorific Form

Sonkeigo exists to honor the person to whom you’re speaking. It’s a polite form used most often in business or formal situations. You would only use it when speaking to someone at a higher rank or social status than yourself. For example, your company president or even your boss might expect you to speak to them in sonkeigo . For the most part, sonkeigo has no cut and dry formula or grammatical rule. It introduces different polite forms of casual or teineigo Japanese words.

A basic example is the teineigo form 食べます (たべます、 tabemasu ), or to eat , and its sonkeigo counterpart 召し上がる (めしあがる、 meshi agaru ). In addition to using these particular words or phrases for the sonkeigo form, it’s also common practice to add prefixes お-/ご- ( o-/go- ) depending on the situation.

謙譲語 (けんじょうご、 kenjougo ) – Humble Form

The humble form kenjougo is not necessarily more polite than sonkeigo . It just serves a different purpose. While sonkeigo exists to honor the person you are speaking to, kenjougo would be used to humble yourself as the speaker. This is an important distinction because certain phrases we’re about to look at are specific to kenjougo .

They are humbling, and therefore are not appropriate to use if the other person is the subject of the sentence. Like sonkeigo, the Japanese humble form has its own version of polite Japanese words. It’s used most often in the customer service industry, where servers or staff humble themselves in conversations with guests.

Saying Thank You in Japanese

Now that we’ve covered the basics of Japanese formality, let’s look at the different ways we can say thank you in Japanese! These words will be listed in order from the most formal to the least. Try to remember what you just learned about teineigo, sonkeigo, and kenjougo .

恐縮です (きょうしゅくです、 kyoushuku desu )

The phrase 恐縮です is incredibly formal. It simultaneously humbles the speaker and honors the addressee. You might use this phrase to say  thank you in Japanese when a superior or elder has done something kind.

感謝の言葉もございません. (かんしゃのことばもございません、 Kansha no kotoba mo gozaimasen )

Literally translated, this phrase means, “I don’t even have words to express my thanks.” Although technically teineigo , 感謝の言葉もございません is such a heartfelt and extreme expression of thanks that it is appropriate in even more formal situations.

御礼申/お礼 申し上げます (おんれい/おれい もうしあげます、 onrei/orei moushi agemasu )

お礼申し上げます is a specifically kenjougo level of thanks. Remember that you can only use it when referring to yourself! The word お礼 is “thanks” in English. This phrase means, “I offer my thanks.” You can use it to express humble and sincere thanks for a gift or a favor.

これはこれはご丁寧に… (これはこれはごていねいに…、 Kore wa kore wa go teinei ni… )

丁寧 is actually included in the sentence, so it makes sense that this phrase is teinei or polite Japanese! People often use これはこれはご丁寧に in the business world as a comment on a situation they are grateful for. For example, if a customer or coworker brought おみやげ ( omiyage ), or souvenirs, to the office, everyone might say, “これはこれはご丁寧に!”

おかげさまで助かりました. (おかげさまでたすかりました、 Okage sama de tasukarimashita .)

おかげさまで助かりました translates to Thanks to you, I was helped. You might use this teineigo sentence if your coworker assisted you with a project in the office.

恐れ入ります (おそれいります、 osore irimasu )

You’ll find this phrase most often in the customer service industry. 恐れ入ります is used to thank—or apologize to!—customers. That said, it isn’t kenjougo . The suffix -ます puts it under the teineigo category. You probably won’t need to say 恐れ入ります unless you’re serving customers at a restaurant or other facility.

感謝します (かんしゃします、 kansha shimasu )

The word 感謝 means “thanksgiving”, “gratitude” in English, so this phrase literally means “I am grateful.” It’s a bit too polite to use in daily conversation with your friends. 感謝しますcan be used for giving someone a very heartfelt thanks, like when you thank your parents at a graduation speech or something. It can also be used in the workplace, but might come across as stilted or sappy.

ご苦労様です.（ごくろうさまです、 Gokurou sama desu. ）

ご苦労様です implies that someone has finished a demanding task and can certainly be used to imply gratitude. It’s not a phrase you say to those above you, but vice versa.

お世話になりました. (おせわになりました、 Osewa ni narimashita. )

While not literally translated to “thank you,” the phrase お世話になります has many valuable uses in Japanese culture. It literally translates to “I am in your care.” In this case by using the past tense conjugation, you’re showing gratitude for the care, help, or general assistance you received from someone else.

ありがとうございます. ( Arigatou gozaimasu. )

This is probably the word that first comes to mind when you think of “thank you” in Japanese. Of course, arigatou gozaimasu is a teinei form and can be used in any of the above situations as well. If you were to be using arigatou gozaimasu when speaking to someone older or higher ranked than yourself, you would want to add doumo to the beginning of the phrase: どうもありがとうございます（ doumo arigatou gozaimasu ）.

If you want to be informal, for example, when thanking a friend or family member, you can simply say: arigatou ! If you are thanking someone for something that has already happened, say, ありがとうございました ( arigatou gozaimashita ), as the -した conjugation infers past tense.

すまません ( sumimasen )

Another word that multi-tasks in Japanese, sumimasen can also be used to say, “excuse me.” In this case, it is another semi-formal or polite way of saying thank you in Japanese. The extremely casual version of this phrase (mostly used by men) is 済まない（すまない、 sumanai ）.

どうも ( doumo )

In Japanese, どうも can also be a way of saying hello. In this case, it’s a casual way of showing gratitude. Short, sweet, and simple.

悪いな (わるいな、 warui na )

In English slang, this could be translated as, “My bad.” It’s used to thank a friend or colleague who’s done something for you. This is quite informal, so don’t use it with an acquaintance or those above you in the office hierarchy.

あざーす ( azaasu )

A very casual sort of slang word, azaasu is just a shortened version of a rigatogo za im asu. This is certainly a word you would only use within your immediate social circle. It might even be considered rude by older adults in your family. You probably shouldn’t use あざーす with anyone except your friends.

サンキュー ( sankyuu )

This is a borrowed word from English: it’s actually thank you ! サンキューis another very casual word, so only use it with your friends. It has a friendly, sometimes borderline flirtatious nuance to it.

Thanking Someone for a Specific Thing

If you want to say thank you for something specific, there’s a grammatical formula that should help.

verb (-て form) + くれて ありがとう ( kurete arigatou )

This is a fairly casual sentence. If you remember from earlier in the article, ありがとう can be made more formal by adding ございます. You can also replace ありがとう with 感謝します (かんしゃします、 kansha shimasu ) to make the sentence a bit more heartfelt.

Here are some examples:

Casual: “Thanks for helping me with my homework.”

宿題を手伝ってくれてありがとう. (しゅくだいをてつだってくれてありがとう、

Shukudai wo tetsudatte kurete arigatou. )

Polite: “Thank you very much for helping me with my homework.” 宿題を手伝ってくれてありがとうございます. (しゅくだいをてつだってくれてありがとうございます、 Shukudai wo tetsudatte kurete arigatou gozaimasu. )

Heartfelt/More polite: “I’m so grateful that you helped me with my homework.” 宿題を手伝ってくれて感謝します. (しゅくだいをてつだってくれてかんしゃします、 Shukudai wo tetsudatte kurete kansha shimasu .)

Saying Thank You in Japanese When You’re Refusing Something

As we mentioned in the beginning of this article, Japan’s culture is inundated with office parties and gift-giving. But what if you don’t have time to go out, or if you want to politely turn down a gift? Here’s a go-to phrase when you want to express gratitude while politely refusing:

気持ちは嬉しいですが… (きもちはうれしいですが…, kimochi wa ureshii desu ga …)

This roughly translates to, “I appreciate the offer, but…” in English. Technically, the words “thank you” aren’t involved. It’s still the most polite and concise way to begin a sentence of polite refusal.

Thank You  in Japanese – Conclusion

There are four levels of honorific Japanese language: casual, teineigo (polite), sonkeigo (honorable), and kenjougo (humble). These are important to remember because certain Japanese words or phrases of gratitude might be specific to humble Japanese while others are more polite or honorific.

Either way, it’s better to consider the person you’re thanking: are they in your inner social circle, or uchi ? If so, you can thank them casually and in a friendly manner. However, if the person you’re speaking to is older, more experienced, or in a higher office position than yourself, it would be a more culturally correct thing to thank them using an honorific or humble phrase of gratitude.

What’s your experience with thanking people in Japanese? Let us know in the comments! Or, if you’re learning all of this for the first time, tell us which of these Japanese words for thank you was your favorite! Thank you for reading this article about gratitude in Japanese.

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Beyond Arigato! How to Say Thank You in Japanese: 12 Phrases for Every Situation

Arigato gozaimasu may be the most popular way to say thank you in Japanese. We introduce 12 Japanese phrases you can use to express your thanks in various situations, from very polite to casual ones.

Mayo　Nomura

Express Your Thanks in Japanese!

Even if you don't understand Japanese, it's good to know how to express your appreciation in Japanese. In this article, we'll be introducing several phrases for saying "thank you".

How to say Thank You in Japanese

1. Arigato gozaimasu - Thank you 2. Domo arigato gozaimasu - Thank you very much 3. Hontoni arigato gozaimasu - Thank you so much 4. Arigato gozaimashita - Thank you (Past) 5. Iroiro arigato gozaimashita - Thank you for everything 6. Osewa ni narimashita - Thank you very much for everything 7. Kansha shiteimasu - I'm grateful to you 8. Orei wo moushiagemasu - I give you my humble thanks 9. Sumimasen - I'm sorry for your trouble 10. Sankyu / Azasu / Domo - Thanks!

How to respond to Thank You in Japanese 11. Ie ie - No problem 12. Tondemonai desu - Don't mention it

Similar Phrases and Mispronunciations

1. arigato gozaimasu / thank you.

[arigato: gozaimas]

This is a polite way of saying "thank you" .

Arigato gozaimasu is the best way to say Thank You in Japanese because it can be used in any situation, no matter how formal or casual.

Photo by Pixta

You can use it toward people who helped you during your trip with advice or directions, you can use it at restaurants, hotels, and Japanese culture workshops, and you can also use it toward Japanese friends you made during your travels.

While traveling in Japan, this is the "thank you" phrase that you'll probably be using most often.

"Arigato" is for Friends

"Arigato" is a casual way of saying "thank you" , usually used toward family, your partner, and friends who are the same age or younger than you.

When expressing thanks to a stranger or person older than yourself , especially toward teachers or your seniors at work, you should definitely use the polite version: "arigato gozaimasu".

Most of the people you talk to during your trip will probably be strangers. For example, you should say "arigato gozaimasu" to shop or hotel staff .

2. Domo arigato gozaimasu / Thank you very much

[do:mo arigato: gozaimas]

Domo arigato gozaimasu is for situations when you want to be even more polite.

3. Hontoni arigato gozaimasu / Thank you so much

[honto:ni arigato: gozaimas]

If you want to emphasize your appreciation, you can say Hontoni arigato gozaimasu . If you want to be a little more casual, you can say Hontoni arigato [honto:ni arigato:].

"Hontoni" means "truly", "really."

A similar phrase is Makotoni arigato gozaimasu , in which "makotoni" means "sincerely."

4. Arigato gozaimashita / Thank you (Past)

[arigato: gozai mashta]

When you want to say thanks upon leaving after being helped at a shop or being guided around town for a day, you should say Arigato gozaimashita instead of Arigato gozaimasu.

Also, if you're writing an email to someone who helped you out in Japan after you've returned home, you'll be using Arigato gozaimashita.

This is not only the past tense form of Arigato gozaimasu; it also signifies that the action you are grateful for has been completed.

If the person you're talking to is someone you know well, you can just use the casual version "arigato".

5. Iroiro arigato gozaimashita / Thank you for everything

[iroiro arigato: gozai mashta]

If someone helped you out with various things throughout your trip, you can try saying Iroiro arigato gozaimashita. It's casual form is "iroiro arigato".

The word "iroiro" means "various things", "many things", or even "everything". This is a general phrase you can use to thank someone for more than one situation.

6. Osewa ni narimashita / Thank you very much for everything

[osewa ni narimashta]

"Osewa" means help, aid, assistance, and "osewa ni naru" means "being taken care of", "being assisted properly."

If you stay at a Japanese guesthouse and your host is kindly cooking for you or making sure that you have all you need, at the end of your visit, try to thank them with Osewa ni narimashita .

While polite, this phrase is a little more personal than Arigato gozaimasu. If you say Osewa ni narimashita, you're thanking that person for their kindness, not only for doing their duty as part of their work.

7. Kansha shiteimasu / I'm grateful to you

[kansha shite imas]

"Kansha" is the Japanese word for "gratitude" so Kansha shiteimasu means "I'm grateful to you", "You have my gratitude."

You can use this phrase after saying Arigato gozaimasu in order to emphasize the degree of your gratitude.

8. Orei wo moushiagemasu

[ore: wo mo:shi agemas]

"Orei" means "thanks" and combined with "moushiagemasu," which means "to say," this phrase literally means "I give you my humble thanks."

Kaiseki cuisine at Asakusa Saryo Ichimatsu . Picture courtesy of Wabunka

This is a highly formal phrase that you can use, for example, if someone in Japan took you to a high-class Japanese restaurant (ryotei) and offered you the chance to taste kaiseki cuisine.

Dining at a ryotei is a very expensive affair, usually kept for anniversaries and special occasions. If a Japanese acquaintance was kind enough to invite you to a ryotei, thank them for this precious opportunity with Orei wo moushiagemasu .

Kokoro kara orei wo moushiagemasu is what you can use to show your utmost gratitude because "kokoro kara" means "from the bottom of my heart."

9. Sumimasen / Sorry

[sumimasen]

Sumimasen is a polite way to apologize for the trouble that someone took to assist you, so it counts as a way to express gratitude.

Gomen (Casual) [gomen]

Gomen has the same meaning as Sumimasen but it can only used between friends.

If you say "sumimasen" or "gomen" (both meaning "sorry) along with "arigato gozaimasu", you will sound more polite.

Arigato gozaimasu, sumimasen.

Arigato, gomen.

These words are probably words you'll learn as phrases for saying "sorry".

Why do the Japanese say "sorry" also when expressing their thanks? This is because by apologizing, they are expressing their thanks and sorry for the time and/or work it took for someone to help them.

If someone helped you in a way that used their own money or time, you can try saying "sumimasen" along with the usual "thank you" to express your understanding of the sacrifice they made for you.

10. Sankyu / Azassu / Domo - Thanks!

[san kyu] [azass] [do:mo]

Sankyu , Azassu , and Domo are casual ways of saying "Thanks!" to your buddies in Japan.

- Sankyu is a playful pronunciation of "Thank you!"

- Azassu is an abbreviated and very casual form of Arigatou gozaimasu.

- Domo originates in Domo arigato gozaimasu, which we introduced above .

Please be aware, though, that you have to be really close friends with someone to use these casual phrases.

For example, after taking part in an izakaya bar hopping tour where you enjoyed several drinks with Japanese participants and helped each other reach the nearest station safely, you could say that your bond is strong enough to tell them Azassu!

11. Ie ie / No no (Not at all, No problem)

A phrase that you will often hear as a reply to Arigato gozaimasu is Ie ie.

You might've learned that "you're welcome" in Japanese is "do itashimashite", but actually, this phrase isn't used very often in present day.

12. Tondemonai desu / Don't mention it

[tondemo nai des]

"Tondemonai" literally means "No reason" or "Nonsense," so Tondemonai desu is a polite way of saying "Don't mention it" as a reply to being offered thanks.

If you want to express reciprocal thanks in Japanese, try using Kochira koso arigato gozaimashita , which means "The pleasure is all mine."

There are various ways of replying to Arigato gozaimasu. It might be fun to write down as a memo to yourself what different people say when you say your thanks to them.

Arigato gozaimasu is easy to mispronounce. However, you shouldn't be worried.

The "u" at the end of "gozaimasu" is not usually pronounced so " arigato gozaimas " is perfectly correct!

On the other hand, arigato sai mas might not come through unless you accompany it with a bow or a deep nod that suggests gratitude.

Azamas is also a mispronunciation but it's been used so often in casual speech that it became another way of saying thank you among friends, just like "azasu."

Our advice would be not to worry much about pronunciation as long as your gestures are polite and convey gratitude.

1. Arigato gozaimasu! / Thank you! [arigato: gozaimas]

2. Domo arigato gozaimashita / Thank you very much [do:mo arigato: gozaimas]

3. Hontoni arigato gozaimasu / Thank you so much [honto:ni arigato: gozaimas]

4. Arigato gozaimashita / Thank you (Past) [arigato: gozai mashta]

5. Iroiro arigato gozaimashita / Thank you for everything [iroiro arigato: gozai mashta]

6. Osewa ni narimashita / Thank you very much for everything [osewa ni narimashta]

7. Kansha shiteimasu / I'm grateful to you [kansha shite imas]

8. Orei wo moushiagemasu / I give you my humble thanks [ore: wo mo:shi agemas]

9. Sumimasen / Sorry. [sumimasen]

10. Sankyu / Azassu / Domo - Thanks! [san kyu] [azass] [do:mo]

11. Ie ie / No, no. (Not at all/No problem) [ieie]

Make use of these seven phrases to express your gratefulness in a variety of situations.

How do you say no thank you in Japan?

In Japanese, "no, thank you" can be expressed as "iie, kekkou desu". This phrase is a polite and formal way to decline something.

What is the best way to say thank you in Japanese?

Arguably, the best way to say thank you in Japanese is Arigato gozaimasu because this phrase can be used in any situation, no matter how formal or casual. With any other phrase, you risk being either too formal or too casual, but you can't go wrong with Arigatou gozaimasu, which literally means "Thank you" and conveys your sincere gratitude.

What is polite etiquette in Japan?

Polite etiquette in Japan includes practices such as bowing as a greeting, removing shoes indoors, showing respect for elders and hierarchical structures, using polite language and honorifics, observing respectful business card exchanges, maintaining proper public behavior, practicing gift-giving customs, and following specific dining etiquette. These customs demonstrate respect for Japanese culture and society and contribute to positive and courteous interactions.

How do people show respect in Japan?

People in Japan show respect through politeness in speech, including using formal language forms, bowing as a gesture of respect, removing shoes when entering certain spaces, acknowledging and respecting hierarchies in various contexts, considering the impact of their actions on others, and adhering to customs and etiquette in social interactions and daily life. These practices collectively demonstrate a deep respect for both individuals and cultural traditions in Japan.

What should we say after thank you in Japanese?

In Japanese, a common response to "thank you" is "dou itashimashite" which means "you're welcome." Another informal response is "douzo," which can be used to invite someone to do something or to accept something, similar to "you're welcome" in English.

What is not polite in Japan?

In Japan, various actions are considered impolite. For instance, speaking loudly in public places, especially on public transportation, showing the soles of your shoes, pointing, or gesturing rudely are typically viewed as impolite. Additionally, blowing your nose in public, being overly assertive, arriving late, and touching someone without permission are behaviors to be avoided as they may come across as disrespectful or impolite in Japanese culture.

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24 Ways to Say “Thank You” in Japanese in Any Social Situation (Plus 13 Ways to Say “You’re Welcome”)

“Thank you” can be expressed in many ways in Japanese, just like greeting someone and wishing them goodbye .

That’s why we’ve rounded up 24 Japanese phrases of gratitude , from the extremely formal to the “only-with-your-friends” casual. 

You’ll also learn how to say thank you in professional situations, how different Japanese dialects say thanks, 13 ways to respond when someone says “thank you” to you, nonverbal ways to express gratitude in Japanese and a quick wrap-up of everything.

Read on to learn all about thank you in Japanese. You can thank us later. (In Japanese, of course!)

Most Common Ways to Say Thank You in Japanese

1. arigatou: ありがとう, 2. arigatou gozaimasu: ありがとうございます, 3. arigatou gozaimashita: ありがとうございました , 4. doumo: どうも, 5. doumo arigatou: どうもありがとう, 6. doumo arigatou gozaimasu: どうもありがとうございます, 7. -te kurete + arigatou:  ～ てくれて＋ありがとう , 8. azaasu: あざーす, 9. sankyuu: サンキュー (さんきゅー), 10. sumimasen: すみません, 11. sumanai: すまない, 12. itadakimasu: いただきます, 13. gochisousama deshita: ごちそうさまでした, thank you in japanese for business, 14. osoreirimasu: 恐れ入ります (おそれいります), 15. otsukaresama desu: お疲れ様です (おつかれさまです), 16. gokurousama desu: ご苦労様です (ごくろうさまです), 17. kanshya shimasu: 感謝します (かんしゃします).

• 18. Makoto ni arigatou gozaimasu: 誠にありがとうございます (まことにありがとうございます)

19. Kyoushyuku desu: 恐縮です (きょうしゅくです)

Thank you in japanese dialects, responding to thank you in japanese, bowing and gift-giving etiquette in japan, thank you in japanese: faqs, how do japanese people say thank you.

• Should I Say Arigatou or Arigatou Gozaimasu?
• What Do You Say After Arigatou?

How Do You Say “No, Thank You” Politely in Japanese?

And one more thing....

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Meaning: Thank you

Usage: Formal and informal

This no-frills “thank you” is the most common form you’ll hear. You can use arigatou in almost any situation, from the office to a binge-watching session with friends.

The Japanese language has a surprisingly long history with Portuguese , featuring a number of loanwords from the latter like pan ( パン or ぱん), which means “bread” in both languages. As such, you may be tempted to assume that the word arigatou in Japanese comes from the Portuguese word for thank you, which is obrigado.

In fact, arigatou has Japanese roots and just happens to be a false cognate with obrigado!

The kanji for arigatou is written as 有り難う . You may recognize the two main kanji in this word:

aru:  有る  (ある) — to exist

gatou: 難う (がとう) — difficult

Think about it this way: Every time you say arigatou, you’re expressing that something was difficult to attain. It’s a very poetic way to show your gratitude!

Meaning: Thank you very much

Usage: Formal

This is the textbook way to say “thank you” in Japanese, and is more polite than arigatou. You could say arigatou gozaimasu in situations like thanking a salesperson for helping you pick the perfect item.

Sometimes, you’ll see it in kanji written as 有り難う御座います (ありがとうございます), though this isn’t as common as the hiragana version.

Meaning: Thank you (for something you did in the past)

Use this phrase when someone has already done something for you. For example:

昨日、宿題を手伝ってくれてありがとうございました。 (きのう、しゅくだいをてつだってくれてありがとうございました。) Kinou, shyukudai o tetsudatte kurete arigatou gozaimashita. Thanks for helping me with my homework yesterday.

Meaning: Hey

Usage: Informal

You can use this phrase to say thank you to your closest friends. Think of it like saying “thanks!”

Doumo is a very versatile word, and can also be used as an informal greeting (“Hey!”), an apology (“My bad!”), to add emphasis (“very”) and in a number of other ways.

You’ve probably heard this phrase in a famous song by Styx . This is a polite and respectful way to thank someone.

You can use it in situations where someone has done something nice for you.

The gozaimasu at the end of this phrase makes it a more formal and meaningful way to say thank you. You normally use this for general, in-the-moment expressions of thanks.

You can use this phrase to thank someone for doing you a big favor, when receiving a present or any other higher level of gratitude.

It’s also a formal way to express how a hardship you’ve experienced has made you thankful.

Meaning: Thank you for doing…

You can use this phrase to thank someone for doing something for you, as in the following example:

インスタグラムでフォローしてくれてありがとう！ (いんすたぐらむでふぉろうしてくれてありがとう！) Insutaguramu de forou shite kurete arigatou! Thanks for following me on Instagram!

While the phrase is fairly informal, you can make it more polite by adding the respectful sentence ending gozaimasu.

Meaning: Thanks!

This is a very casual way to say thank you. You might say it to a classmate or someone else of equal ranking and age as you. However, you never use it with your superiors, like your professors or host parents.

Meaning: Thank you! (Loan word)

Japanese is known for having loan words integrated into the language , and this one is no exception. Like many other Japanese loanwords, it’s written in katakana .

Words like  sankyuu and baibai ( バイバイ or ばいばい) mean exactly what they do in English, but give off a more casual feel. So I’d make sure to only use this with friends or people you already know.

Meaning: Sorry

Wait, why is “sorry” on this list of thank yous in Japanese? Well, because you can use sumimasen to say thanks in some situations!

Think of it as an apologetic thank you, as in “sorry for intruding.” For instance, you can use sumimasen to thank someone who held the elevator door for you, or who let you see the notes from a work meeting you missed.

Meaning: Thank you (usually said by male speakers)

I’ve only ever heard guys use this phrase , the casual form of sumimasen. If you choose to use it, make sure it’s in a casual setting, like with your friends.

Meaning: I humbly accept (this meal)

Before you partake in a meal, it’s always polite to take a moment to sincerely say itadakimasu . Itadaku ( 頂く or いただく) is a verb that means to receive with respect, so itadakimasu suggests that you’re going to accept and indulge in your food with gusto.

It’s a way to thank all the folks, present or otherwise, responsible for the delicacies in front of you.

Meaning: It was a lot of work and effort/Thank you for the meal

You can never be too grateful for grub. With every itadakimasu comes goshisousama deshita . When you finish your meal, tap your hands together and offer a final thanks with this phrase.

By uttering gochisousama deshita , you’re saying that you’re grateful for all the hard work that enabled you to have a full and happy belly.

When choosing the right phrase to thank your coworkers and superiors, you’ll need to consider your position in the contextual hierarchy.

I certainly had to get used to it when I worked for a Japanese company. To save you the trouble, here are some of the most common business phrases I’ve heard used to express thanks:

Meaning: Thank you very much (to superiors)

This can also mean “Excuse me” or “I’m sorry.” Just think of it as something you’d say after a superior has done something for you.

Meaning: Thank you for your hard work

After a long day of hard work, saying this to your superiors and coworkers is a nice pick-me-up. In some situations, it’s also used as a greeting.

Meaning: Thank you for your hard work (to subordinates)

This phrase is specifically used with subordinates. While it’s not exactly rude when used with superiors, using this greeting with them can come across as attempting to disrupt the hierarchy or status quo.

Meaning: Thank you (written)

You may see this more often in writing, like in Japanese emails . For example:

いつもサポートして頂き、感謝します。 (いつもさぽーとしていただき、かんしゃします。) Itsumo sapouto shite itadaki, kanshya shimasu. Thank you for your continued support.

18 . Makoto ni arigatou gozaimasu: 誠にありがとうございます (まことにありがとうございます)

Meaning: Thank you kindly (written)

Makoto ni ( 誠に orまことに) is the respectful way to say hontou ni ( 本当に or ほんとうに), which means “very.” I’ve seen this written a lot, especially in emails that go out to subscribers and customers. It would feel out of place to say to a friend!

Meaning: I am indebted to you

Apart from using it in written business correspondence, you can also say this phrase to your superiors after they’ve helped you out with something.

However, note that there are some situations where this phrase actually means “I’m sorry.” For example:

大変恐縮ですが…  (たいへんきょうしゅくですが…) Taihen kyoushyuku desu ga… Sorry to trouble you…

But in other situations, it expresses gratitude:

親切にして頂き、恐縮です。 (しんせつにしていただき、きょうしゅくです。) Shinsetsu ni shite itadaki, kyoushyuku desu. Thank you for being so kind.

That’s right, Japan has several hougen ( 方言 or ほうげん) — local dialects ! Different regions, like the awesome prefecture of Osaka and the beautiful city of Kyoto , have added their own flair to the Japanese language.

Here’s how different regions say “thank you” in Japanese:

• Kansai: おおきに ( ookini )　
• Ehime: だんだん ( dandan )
• Toyama: きのどく ( kinodoku )
• Okinawa: にふええでえびる ( nifueedeebiru )
• Yamagata: おしょうしな ( oshyoushina )

Most likely, you won’t be the only one doing the thanking in Japanese. Other people will thank you for your time and generosity, too!

Thus, it’s equally important to know how to respond to “thank you” as it is to say it.

Let’s take a look at some must-know phrases for saying “you’re welcome” in Japanese:

• Ie ie:  いえいえ  — No problem
• Un:  うん  — Sure
• Uun, itsu demo koekakete: ううん、いつでも声かけて (ううん、いつでもこえかけて) — Sure, anytime
• Ii yo: いいよ  — Sure, no problem.
• Daijoubu: 大丈夫 (だいじょうぶ) — It’s okay
• Zenzen:  全然 (ぜんぜん) — Not at all
• Betsu ni:  別に  (べつに) — No problem

As we’ve established, the expressions you’d use in a business context are very different from the ones you’d use with friends, family or others you know casually.

Let’s take a look at some useful ways to respond to “thank you” while doing business in Japanese:

• Dou itashimashite: どういたしまして  — You’re welcome
• Kochira koso: こちらこそ  — It’s I who should say so
• Tondemonai desu / Tondemonai koto de gozaimasu: とんでもないです ・  とんでもないことでございます — It’s no problem.
• Oyaku ni tatete yokatta desu: お役に立ててよかったです (おやくにたててよかったです) — Glad I could help!
• Enryoshinai de kudasai: 遠慮しないでください  (えんりょしないでください) — Don’t hesitate (to ask anything).
• Tasuke ni narete yokatta desu: 助けになれて良かったです (たすけになれてよかったです) — Glad I could help!

Aside from expressing your thanks in words, there are nonverbal ways to say thank you in Japanese. The main ones include bowing and gift-giving.

Ojigi ( お辞儀 or おじぎ) is the art of bowing. Indeed, the humble bow actually has a lot of nuance in Japanese culture.

How you bow depends on the person (such as their age, social rank, occupation) and overall context . There are also different protocols on the mechanics of bowing based on whether you’re standing or sitting.

These protocols are complex enough to fill several books. In fact, you can find entire books on Japanese bowing! Generally, though:

• The more respect you want to show, the deeper and more sustained your bow should be.
• Don’t make direct eye contact with the other person.
• Try to keep your body rigid while you bend over.

As for gift-giving, it isn’t reserved for special dates like birthdays or holidays. It can be done simply to express respect or show that you thought of someone. Generally, gift-giving in Japan goes like this:

• Offer a wrapped gift with both hands to be respectful. Do the same when you’re receiving a gift.
• It’s common for the recipient to politely refuse at first before ultimately accepting the gift.
• If you receive the gift, thank the giver appropriately, and do not open it in front of him or her (unless they explicitly request otherwise).

These cultural concepts can be a little difficult for learners to wrap their minds around, so it might help to expose yourself to authentic ways to show gratitude in Japanese.

You can do this by searching for phrases related to gratitude (or any other common phrase or word) on a program like FluentU .

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Remember: In Japanese, context is crucial!

With much of their culture revolving around modesty and humility, Japanese people express thanks through a variety of ways.

While simply saying arigatou ( 有り難う or ありがとう) with a bow is the standard, you shouldn’t be surprised if you’re thanked with an actual gift. Okaeshi ( お返し or おかえし) are “return presents,” typically small consumables like snacks, that are frequently given as tokens of gratitude.

Should I Say Arigatou or Arigatou Gozaimasu ?

In most scenarios, the simple arigatou will do just fine. If the favor done for you isn’t too much, or you’re thanking a buddy for helping out, arigatou is enough.

Arigatou gozaimasu can be double-layered. It’s more formal, so you’re more likely use it with more esteemed company. It can also suggest that you’re more than just a little grateful to someone. You’ll hear arigatou gozaimasu many times in business and similar contexts.

What Do You Say After Arigatou ?

As mentioned earlier, common responses (which can roughly translate to “you’re welcome” or “no problem”) include:

• Ii yo: いいよ (casual)
• Ie ie: いえいえ
• Dou itashimashite: どういたしまして (formal)

A simple haai ( はーい ) can also be a quick, easygoing response to acknowledge gratitude from others.

You can politely refuse someone or something using these expressions:

• kekkou desu: 結構です (けっこうです) — I’m fine (formal)
• daijoubu desu: 大丈夫です (だいじょうぶ です) — It’s okay (slightly less formal)

You can precede either of them with iie ( いいえ or “no”) to more strongly affirm that you need nothing else.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start practicing!

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10 Ways to Say Thank You in Japanese

In Japan, your social status means a lot. And how you talk to people depends on where you stand in this social class. If you are talking to someone in a higher social class than you, you would use a more polite form of the phrase.

If you are talking to someone at the same or lower social level than you, you would use a more simple or casual phrase.

It can also change based on when you gave thanks. If you are giving thanks for something that happened in the past, then how you would say thank you also changes!

It can get complicated, but we have some great examples and sample audio to help you through this.

A Simple Thanks

This form is the one you hear in all the TV shows and movies. Arigatou ( ありがとう ) is a fast and easy way to say Thank you in Japanese. You should only use this when speaking to one of your peers and it's somewhat casual.

For example, if one of your friends lends you a pencil, then you could say Arigatou ( ありがとう ) .

[audio mp3="statamic://asset::blog::wp-content/uploads/2016/03/arigatou.mp3"][/audio]

A Little Bit More Formal "Thank You Very Much"

If you need to emphasize your thanks, then you can use the phrase, "Doumo Arigatou" ( どうもありがとう ) . This phrase is more formal than before. You could use this if someone did something that helped you a lot and it might have been an inconvenience for them.

If one of your friends woke up early in the morning to take you to the airport, that would deserve a "Doumo Arigatou" ( どうもありがとう ) .

[audio mp3="statamic://asset::blog::wp-content/uploads/2016/03/doumo-arigatou.mp3"][/audio]

Saying "Thank You" to your Superiors

What if your teacher came by and showed you how to solve a difficult math rpboelm? You would not want to use one of the phrases above. They are too casual for such a situation. "Arigatou Gozaimasu" ( ありがとうございます ) is the right phrase to use in such a situation.

This is the first form of thank you when speaking to someone in a higher social class than you in Japan. Other people that would fall under this category would be your boss or a policeman.

[audio mp3="statamic://asset::blog::wp-content/uploads/2016/03/arigatougozaimasu.mp3"][/audio]

Saying "Thank you very much" to your Superiors

Your boss walks by your desk and gives you a promotion! She's taking a big chance on you but knows you'll succeed. Remember how adding "Doumo" to "Arigatou" emphasizes a thank you? You can do the same with "Doumo Arigatou Gozaimasu" ( どうもありがとうございます ) !

[audio mp3="statamic://asset::blog::wp-content/uploads/2016/03/doumo-arigatougozaimasu.mp3"][/audio]

Getting Casual

Sometimes even saying "Arigatou" is too much. Who has time to deal with four syllables? When you are in a rush or don't want to put in the effort, a simple "Doumo" ( どうも ) will do the trick.

Be warned! Don't use this phrase if you are talking to someone higher up than you! They could become offended that you didn't take the time to thank them in the correct way. You can use this phrase with people lower than you as well, such as your younger sibling.

[audio mp3="statamic://asset::blog::wp-content/uploads/2016/03/doumo.mp3"][/audio]

A slang form of "Thank you"

Slang language is words and phrases you would use in a very casual environment. In English, you wouldn't use the word, " Yo " to your teacher. In Japan, there is a slang word for "Thank you" that you can use in very casual settings. A simple "Azasu" (あざす) will do the trick.

[audio mp3="statamic://asset::blog::wp-content/uploads/2016/03/azasu.mp3"][/audio]

Saying "Thank you" for what happened in the past

Sometimes you forget to say "Thank you" or did not have the chance. If you need to say thanks for an event that happened in the past, you can use the phrase, "Arigatou Gozaimashita" (ありがとうございました) . This is past tense version of the similar phrase you learned earlier. You can learn all about past tense usage in our Japanese lessons !

Did your friend throw an amazing party last week? Now is the time to say "Arigatou Gozaimashita" (ありがとうございました).

[audio mp3="statamic://asset::blog::wp-content/uploads/2016/03/arigatougozaimashita.mp3"][/audio]

Thanking someone for fixing your mistake

People make mistakes. And then there are people kind enough to help fix those mistakes. If you find yourself in a situation where you failed and there is someone to help, you can say "Sumimasen" ( すみません ).

"Sumimasen" ( すみません ) can mean "sorry" and "excuse me". It can also mean "Thank you" when you are thanking someone for helping you pick yourself up off the ground.

[audio mp3="statamic://asset::blog::wp-content/uploads/2016/03/sumimasen.mp3"][/audio]

An awe inspiring Thank You

When someone has done an act that amazes you, you need a phrase that captures your gratitude. "Osoreirimasu" ( おそれいります ) is a phrase you don't want to use often. This phrase used for special occasions and for very formal situations.

[audio mp3="statamic://asset::blog::wp-content/uploads/2016/03/osoreirimasu.mp3"][/audio]

Saying Thank You with Japanese text messaging

We all shorten our sentences when we’re texting, and Japanese is no different. Often you will see these different forms of the expressions above:

あざす or あーと or ありー are used as short forms of "Arigatou Gozaimasu" (ありがとうございます).

In English you can even type AZS which is short for azasu!

Sometimes, the rules don't apply

Like any language, you sometimes need to bend the rules to fit the situation. The phrases you've learned are good to learn and the way to use them are straight forward. But the time will come where you may feel you need to use a certain phrase in a situation that isn't described. That's okay! Try it out!

If you want to learn more phrases and how to speak even more Japanese, remember to sign up for our Japanese lessons !

How To Say Thank You in Japanese: The Definitive Guide

I’ve heard it said many times before, but it’s worth repeating here: the two most important words in any language are please and thank you. That’s why today’s lesson is all about how to say thank you in Japanese.

It will probably come as no surprise that there are many ways to say this useful phrase. The differences are based on things such as the formality level of the situation, or just the area of Japan that a person is from.

Check out this list and learn the many different expressions so that you always know the right way to express you gratitude in Japanese!

1. The Common Way To Thank Others

By far the most common way to thank someone in Japanese is with the following phrase.

• Thank you ありがとう arigatō

This is probably a word that you have heard many times before, and what I’d like to do now is to go a little more in depth on some of its possible variations.

First of all, the form of the phrase we just saw above is pretty casual. This is something that you would say to a family member or to one of your friends. You might even add on the ending particle ね (ne) to make it sound more colloquial.

• Thanks, man! ありがとうね！ arigatō ne!

But what about when you need to be a little more polite? Like if you wanted to tell someone you just met thank you, or if you were in the office and a co-worker did something nice for you?

In that case you would add on ございます (gozaimasu) which simply makes the word more formal and polite. You do this exact same thing when making the Japanese phrase “good morning” polite as well.

• Thank you (polite) ありがとうございます。 arigatō gozaimasu.

And if you wanted to express a lot of thanks, such as the English phrase “Thank you very much” then you would want to add on the word どうも (dōmo) to the front of it.

• Thank you very much. どうもありがとうございます。 dōmo arigatō gozaimasu.

The Japanese word どうも can have several different meanings depending on how it’s used. In the case of the above example, it functions like the English word “very” but if you were to use it all on its own, it actually works as an informal way to just say thanks.

• Thanks どうも dōmo

One final thing I want to cover before we move on to the next section is when the word ございます appears in this phrase, but conjugated into the past tense as ごさいました (gozaimashita).

This is usually used when someone has completed some action to your benefit, and you want to thank them for it.

• Thank you (for what you did). ありがとうございました。 arigatō gozaimashita.

There’s not too big a difference between using the present tense and the past tense in this phrase, it’s just that one emphasizes something that has already been completed.

2. When “Sorry” Also Means Thank You

In Japanese there is a super useful and common word that every one should know. The word is すみません (sumimasen) and it usually means sorry or excuse me in English.

But it is actually used in Japanese to mean thank you when the other person has done something for you at their own expense. A common situation would be when someone buys you a gift for your birthday.

Since they did something nice for you, and it cost them money (or time if they made it) then you want to thank them in such a way as to acknowledge their sacrifice.

• Thank you (and sorry for the inconvenience) すみません sumimasen

You don’t need to be too worried mixing up the different possible meanings for this word since the context of the situation usually lets you know.

3. When Doing Business

The Japanese language is pretty interesting because it takes on a whole new level of formality when doing business. There are different forms of the words you would regularly use, and then there are completely new words as well.

When it comes to saying thank you to a potential client, or a key vendor who supplies your company with essential materials.

The common word used to show humility and gratitude in these situations is 恐れ入る (osore iru). You could use it at the end of a proposal or interview, as a way to thank the potential client or employer for their time.

• Thank you very much for your consideration. 恐れ入ります。 osore irimasu.

And you can also use it as part of a set phrase that is exchanged between two people when they give one another their business cards.

• Thank you very much. I humbly receive it from you (said while taking business card). 恐れ入れます、頂戴致します。 osore irimasu, chōdai itashimasu.

Most people who are learning Japanese won’t have to worry about this high level of formality until after a few years worth of study, but I wanted to include it here for completeness.

4. The Kansai-Ben Way Of Speaking

Most Japanese that foreigners learn is the dialect spoken in Tokyo, the capital of Japan. But there are actually many different regional accents and ways of speaking if you travel around and speak to the locals.

The most famous one, besides the standard Japanese that you’ve probably been learning, is called 関西弁 (Kansai ben) which is the dialect spoken in the Kansai region.

It is used by a considerable proportion of Japan’s population, so chances are pretty high that you’ll run into it soon after consuming native material.

The way that they say thank you in Japanese is slightly different from ありがとう. Here it is now:

• Thank you (Kansai ben). おおきに ō kini

Similar to business level Japanese, there’s not a huge need to explicitly study the non-standard dialects of Japanese until you get to a high level with the language.

Unless you’re planning on visiting one of those areas soon. Then it would be a good idea to learn them a little.

5. Thanking Others For Their Hard Work

Alright, we are back in the office now. Or maybe we are at our club/group for this next phrase.

In Japan, there is a huge emphasis on working together, for the betterment of the group or organization. Even so, there is still a need to thank people specifically for the hard work that they did as an individual.

This next phrase is the one that is used after the day’s work is over, and you want to thank them for their effort.

• Thank you for your hard work! お疲れ様でした！ o tsukare sama deshita!

This form of the word is used between people who are of equal status. But if you are above someone, like if you are their supervisor or boss, then this next phrase is the one you will want to use.

• Thank you for your hard work (said to subordinates). ご苦労様でした。 go kurō sama deshita.

In both cases, if you are close to the person you’re speaking with, you can drop the でした (deshita) ending completely and make the sentence feel more casual.

6. Thanks To You (Or Someone)

There is a special way to say “thanks to you (or someone)” in Japanese, that you may have run into before. Let me give the word first, along with its literal translation, and then we’ll go into detail on it a little more.

• Under the gods’ shadow (literal translation) お陰様で o kage sama de

This is one of those expressions where you really just need to learn how to use it appropriately, and not worry too much about the specific wording of the phrase.

So a common way that it’s used is in response to when someone asks you if you are well:

• Are you doing well? お元気ですか？ o genki desuka?
• Yes, I’m fine thank you (thanks to you). はい、お陰様で元気です。 hai, o kage sama de genki desu.

The other way that it is used is when giving credit to someone for something that they have done, or have helped to accomplish.

To do this, you don’t need the whole phrase. You just need おかげで which follows the の particle to indicate who you are thanking.

• Thanks to Yoshido we won the match. 吉戸のおかげで試合に勝った。 yoshido no okage de shiai ni katta.

In this second usage of the word, it is okay to drop the で (de).

• I was able to gamble, thanks to you (Suzui-san). ギャンブルができたのは鈴井さんのおかげです。 gyamburu ga dekita no wa suzui san no okage desu.

7. Thanks For The Meal

Are you getting tired yet of all the different ways to appreciate others in Japanese? Well, stick with me here, because we are almost done!

Personally I think the fact that there are so many ways to say thanks in Japanese, really helps drive home just how polite the culture and people are.

And when you have finished a great meal, be sure to use this next phrase as a way to thank the cook for it.

• Thank you (for the meal)! ご馳走様でした！ go chisō sama deshita!

The word 馳走 (chisō) means “feast” and this expression is a way to say to the other person that the food they prepared was so good, that it was in fact, a feast!

This phrase is pretty much always said after a meal, even if the funds are low and all you could eat was chicken and rice.

Related: Learn what to say before eating in Japan.

Like the phrases in section five of this lesson, you may also drop the でした from this particular thanksgiving and instead turn it into the less formal ご馳走様 (go chisō sama) when you’re with friends and family.

8. The English Loan Word

Sometimes in anime you will hear this phrase, which is simply the English phrase for thank you, but as a loan word in Japanese.

Honestly, I feel like there’s a 50/50 chance that any English word you know has been assimilated into Japanese!

• Thank you! サンキュー！ sankyū!

Keep in mind that since this is a loan word for thank you, it is very informal and should only be used with people close to you.

9. I’m Grateful

Alrighty, this is the final section. I thought we would switch things up a little and instead learn how to say “I’m grateful” in Japanese, rather than another way to say thanks.

The first way is pretty simple.

• I’m grateful. 感謝する。 kansha suru.

The word 感謝 (kansha) means gratitude when the word functions as a noun, but when you add する (suru) to the end of it, you turn it the verb to be grateful .

The other word that you can use to mean “grateful” is 有難い (arigatai) which sounds pretty close to the word we learned way back in section one, but this latest one is still different enough to be considered its own word.

• I’m grateful for that (the thing we were talking about). それは有難い。 sore wa arigatai.

Thankfully, This Lesson Is Over!

You’ve learned a lot today! Who knew there could be so many ways to say thank you in Japanese, right?

If you enjoy learning Japanese, and you’re looking for a way to take your abilities to the next level, then check out my reviews on the top learning resources available online .

Have you heard any other ways to say thank you in Japanese? Which one of today’s did you like the most?

Further Resources for Learning Japanese:

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6 thoughts on “How To Say Thank You in Japanese: The Definitive Guide”

Such a fun lesson!  I had no idea that there were so many variations on one idea…thank you.  I have to agree with you that this is a very polite society.  What a delight to be thanked for the “feast” even if it was a small meal.  However, I was most taken with the idea that bosses thank employees for their work for the day.  

Yeah, I would agree with you. I mean, I’ve had bosses tell me that I’ve done good work after a project, but when the day is winding down, they usually just say “good bye” as that is the norm in our society.

The Japanese culture is a bit different though, and these phrases really reflect that fact since things like お疲れ様 and ご苦労様 and used pretty much every day. 

I think it’s cool though, because if all our cultures were the same, then there’d be no reason to learn a new one. 

I really enjoyed reading this article as it really shows the different ways to say a short phrase.  Being English myself, I spent some time trying to pronounce some of the phrases the correct way.

It would be so useful if you had either a video or podcast demonstrating how to pronounce Please and Thankyou in the many Japanese dialects.  I have been in touch with a church that has Chinese people and am now aware that what you share here can be applied in Chinese also.

I am looking forward to more articles from you!

Yeah, I can appreciate seeing it written in Japanese, with a little romaji to help, and not really knowing how to pronounce the words. 

If you’d like a crash course on Japanese sounds, then check out the free course I created which goes over all of them in detail.

Learn the Japanese sounds here!

Once you begin to get into it, it’s actually a little surprising how many sounds are the same in English!

Japanese people are very, very polite. I would assume they are the most polite people in the entire world. That is why it is important to respect their culture and most importantly learn the most “grateful” phrase they have in japanese which is “thank you” its also important to learn how to say sorry as well, and I like that they have a sort of phrase for both sorry and thank you. Its a little hard for me to grasp but then again I do remember how japan is a culture based on being respectful, then it makes more sense. 

Yeah, the Japanese language is structured and used quite a bit differently from English, and even after spending a lot of time with the language, there are still times where I’m not sure what’s happening. But as you continue to exposure yourself to more and more, it slowly becomes clearer.

It’s also pretty interesting to see how the cultures differ from one another, and then to see it reflected in the vocabulary that’s used on a daily basis. 

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How to say “Thank you” in Japanese? 10 ways to express your gratitude

In Japanese, the common way to say “thank you” is ありがとう (Arigatou). You definitely familiar with this phrase, which is used commonly in Japanese conversation. In this guide, however, we’ll show 10 other ways to say thank you in Japanese , each suitable for different contexts and levels of formality:

1. ありがとう – Arigatou

• Meaning: Thank you
• Romaji: Arigatou

This is perhaps the most universally recognized Japanese phrase for thank you. It’s casual and broadly used among friends, family, and peers. This version of thanks is informal and should generally be used in a relaxed context or with people you are familiar with.

2. ありがとうございます – Arigatou Gozaimasu

• Romaji: Arigatou Gozaimasu

Stepping up a level in formality, this expression is a polite way to say thank you. It’s appropriate in almost any situation but is especially important in customer service interactions or when speaking to someone of higher status. This phrase carries a sense of professional and courteous acknowledgment.

3. どうもありがとう – Doumo Arigatou

• Meaning: Thank you very much
• Romaji: Doumo Arigatou

By adding どうも (doumo), you increase the emphasis of your gratitude, translating roughly to “Thank you very much.” It’s still fairly informal and can be used in everyday situations where you feel a simple thanks might not suffice.

4. どうもありがとうございます – Doumo Arigatou Gozaimasu

• Romaji: Doumo Arigatou Gozaimasu

This is a combination of politeness and strong gratitude. It’s very respectful and can be used in formal settings or when you are deeply grateful for someone’s help or generosity. This phrase would be apt after receiving a significant favor or in professional settings where high respect is to be conveyed.

5. 心から感謝します  – Kokoro Kara Kansha Shimasu

• Meaning: Sincerely thank
• Romaji: Kokoro Kara Kansha Shimasu

Literally translating to “I thank you from the heart,” this phrase is used when you want to express sincere and deep gratitude. It’s formal and profound, making it suitable for expressing thanks in serious or deeply meaningful situations, such as receiving personal advice or after a significant personal event.

6. お世話になりました – Osewa Ni Narimashita

• Meaning: Thank you for helping me
• Romaji: Osewa Ni Narimashita

This phrase is often used to thank someone for their assistance or care over a period. It’s common in business and professional contexts, particularly when concluding a project or at the end of a business relationship. It acknowledges the person’s support and effort in assisting you.

7. 感謝しています  – Kansha Shiteimasu

• Meaning: I am grateful 
• Romaji: Kansha Shiteimasu

This formal statement is often used in written communications like emails or letters where deep appreciation needs to be conveyed. It’s particularly useful in professional communications, reflecting both humility and respect.

8. 助かりました – Tasukarimashita

• Meaning: You helped me
• Romaji: Tasukarimashita

This phrase means “You helped me,” and is used when someone has helped you out of a difficult situation. It’s an expression of gratitude that acknowledges someone’s direct impact on your life or work, often used among colleagues or friends.

9. 恩に着る  – On ni Kiru

• Meaning: To feel oneself indebted to
• Romaji: On ni Kiru

This is a very formal and somewhat archaic way to say thank you, implying that you are indebted to someone for their kindness. While not commonly used in everyday conversation, it might appear in very formal writings or speeches, often to express a deep, lasting gratitude.

10. すみません – Sumimasen

• Meaning: “excuse me” or “I’m sorry”
• Romaji: Sumimasen

Although primarily used to mean “excuse me” or “I’m sorry,” in the right context “sumimasen” can also express gratitude. This is particularly true when someone goes out of their way to help you, and you wish to acknowledge both the imposition and their effort. It’s a versatile phrase, suitable in many contexts and reflecting an acute awareness of the other person’s convenience.

If you want to learn more Japanese phrases, give the MochiKanji app a try! The app includes some basic conversation topics that suit those who want to practice speaking Japanese everyday, or download this image for learning later.

In conclusion, mastering these various expressions of gratitude can make a significant difference in how you communicate and connect with Japanese speakers. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to polish your proficiency, integrating these phrases into your daily use will demonstrate both respect and appreciation for Japanese culture and its nuances.

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Keigo: The honorific speech in Japanese

It’s often said that Japanese is a complex language to learn and one of those reasons is the use of keigo , or honorific speech in Japanese . You might think you’ll never need to learn Japanese keigo , but it is incredibly important, especially if you ever plan on working in Japan. In fact, keigo is so closely linked to working in Japan that it is often referred to as Business Japanese. Read on to learn more about polite Japanese and why you should learn keigo.

Uchi and Soto

Keigo is both cause and consequence of the peculiarity of Japanese culture, especially the Uchi 内 and Soto 外 principle. Uchi and Soto represent two fundamental concepts that shape Japan’s culture and society. Uchi refers to people that are inside a particular social circle, specifically your social circle; this can be your family, your team or your company, while Soto refers to people that are outside that social circle.

As you might know, Japanese culture is focusing heavily on social harmony and on the collectivism (the “us” versus the “me” of the more individualistic Western societies): hence, being part of a group and meeting its standards becomes a fundamental step to be able to be considered as a full-fledged member of the community . You can see the effects of the Uchi and Soto principle in every social dynamic, from politics to economics. You can think of it as a system of concentric circles.

Let’s make an example: You are a player in your University’s soccer team: in this case, the basic Uchi level will be represented by your teammates of the same age, while your Soto will be your captain and the manager of the team. If you see it from a wider point of view, for example during a tournament, your Uchi will be your entire team, while your Soto will be represented by all the other competing teams. Let’s make it a bit wider again, like during the University Games, on a national level: in this case, your Uchi is your entire University, and the Soto will be the other Universities, coming from other sides of the country.

This kind of cultural approach has also caused deep effects in sociolinguistics: how to properly communicate with people outside of your social circle? The answer to this question is keigo, the honorific speech. This fascinating, yet complex, part of the Japanese language developed through the generations, reinforcing the social construct where it originated from.

Keigo is composed by three types of language, each one with a specific set of rules and peculiarities, and its use depends on the context and the situation. Let’s check them out together.

The different forms of Japanese keigo

Keigo (敬語) means “respectful language” and there are different forms of keigo depending on the situation and level of politeness needed: teineigo , sonkeigo and kenjougo .

Teineigo (丁寧語) is the standard polite form and usually the first form that Japanese learners learn in class. This form is used when the speaker doesn’t know the other person they are talking to or wishes to put distance between themselves and the other person. 

Example: to eat is 食べる ( taberu ) in the plain, or dictionary, form, but 食べます ( tabemasu ) in teineigo.

In a sentence: what did you eat for lunch? お昼ご飯何を食べましたか？( Ohirugohan nani wo tabemashitaka )

Sonkeigo (尊敬語) is used when you show respect to others in situations where you are talking about someone else who is a higher status than you, e.g. your boss, people who are older than you, your customers. You never use this form when speaking about yourself. 

Example: instead of saying 食べます, you would say 召し上がります ( meshiagarimasu ). 

In a sentence: (serving at a fast food restaurant) are you eating here? ここで召し上がりますか？( Koko de meshiagarimasuka? )

Kenjougo (謙譲語) is used to show humility. You use this form when you are speaking to a superior or someone of a higher social status about yourself, essentially making yourself humble in their presence. 

Example: 食べます becomes いただきます ( itadakimasu ). 

In a sentence: (speaking to your boss) I ate ramen for lunch. お昼ご飯にラーメンをいただきました。( Ohirugohan ni ramen wo itadakimashita ).

More than just language

Something to understand about keigo is that it is more than just another part of the Japanese language – it is deeply ingrained in the culture and society too. 

While it might be normal to use casual language within reason to a stranger or superior in Western cultures, this is considered rude in Japan, where it is extremely important to show politeness, humility and formality. This is the culture of respect that permeates throughout Japanese culture. Status and hierarchy are important even in modern Japanese society, which is deeply influenced by Japan’s feudal history. 

Note that Japanese also uses many honorifics to reflect the hierarchical system and it’s important to know these well, too.

Difficult to learn, but essential

The polite form of Japanese is used in Japan every single day, from store clerks addressing customers to an employee talking to their boss. Therefore learning keigo is highly important and useful for those who wish to work in Japan. Foreigners who can use keigo correctly will be seen much more favourably by potential employers.

However, it can be extremely difficult to learn keigo just by using a textbook or learning it in class – even Japanese people have to take courses to learn keigo before they enter the recruitment process .

Go! Go! Nihon can help you find a language school that includes Japanese keigo lessons. Contact us today for more information!

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How to Say Thank You for Listening in Japanese - in Conversation and in Speeches or Presentations

There's so many ways to say thank you in Japanese. How about when you're giving a speech or presentation, or when you want to thank a friend who's there for you? Here are some things to know when thanking someone for their time and presence in Japanese.

Table of Contents

• How to say thank you in Japanese
• Thank you for listening in Japanese - in personal or casual conversation

Thank you for listening in Japanese - in formal or business conversation

• Thank you for listening in Japense - at the end of a speech or presentation

Other "Thank You" Situations in Japanese

How to say thank you in japanese.

The most common translation of thank you in Japanese is " ありがとう (Arigatou)". You often hear and use this in conversations with people. This is also a casual form. To be a little bit more polite, you can use " どうもありがとう (doumo arigatou)" or the even more polite " ありがとうございました (arigatou gozaimashita)" which translates to "thank you very much."

For more specifics, please check out our detailed article covering all forms of thank you in Japanese, from formal to casual to slang and to ones tailored for specific situations!

Arigatou and more: How to Say Thank You in Japanese in All Types of Situations

Now let’s get to phrases for “Thank you for listening.”

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Thank you for listening in japanese - in personal or casual conversation.

We all have our own share of trouble, and sometimes the best way to lighten the burden is to simply talk about it to someone. Even if they don't say anything, it's often great to just get it off our chest and have someone listen.

Afterwards we get everything out, it's good to say

聞いてくれてありがとう (Kiite kurete arigatou)

most commonly said to close friends and family members. It's the most simple and straightforward form of "Thank you for listening."

If they give you advice or you ask them for their opinion after sharing what's on your mind, you could also say

相談に乗ってくれてありがとう 。 (Soudan ni notte kurete arigatou)

This means, "Thanks for giving me advice." or "Thanks for lending me an ear." 

These two examples are the most commonly used. Afterwards, if you feel better, you can even say "(○○に話して) すっきりした！ (((Person's name) ni hanashite) Sukkiri shita!) " which means you feel lighter or you feel like you got a load off your chest (after talking to (person's name)). 

It's also kind to offer to be there for them in return.

(私も/俺も)  いつでも話聞くよ。 (Watashi mo / Ore mo) Itsudemo hanashi kikuyo

(私も/俺も)  いつでも相談に乗るよ。 (watashi mo / ore mo) itsudemo soudan ni noruyo..

Both mean "I'm here to listen anytime." with the latter also implying that you might give advice as well! 

If you're close with a coworker that you can drop a lot of the formalities, you can use the person who took his time to hear you is a colleague or someone who has a more formal relationship with you such as your superior/boss, it is better to say

聞いていただき ありがとうございました。 (Kiite itadaki arigatou gozaimashita)  or the more formal  お聞きいただき ありがとうございます。 (Okiki itadaki arigatou gozaimasu)

相談に乗っていただき ありがとうございました。 (soudan ni notte itadaki arigatou gozaimashita) or the more formal ご相談に乗っていただき ありがとうございます。   (gosoudan ni notte itadaki arigatou gozaimasu.).

It shows appreciation while still properly recognizing the relationship between individuals and showing the proper respect. The latter more formal version should always be used to people much higher up like your boss, and in e-mails. 

(Note that what you share at work should be issues related to work. Unless you have a very close relationship with your coworkers, we often don't share personal issues at work. And if you are in the rare situations where you do and can, it's that much more important to show the proper appreciation for it!) 

Thank you for listening in Japanese - at the end of a speech or presentation

We wouldn't use the above two examples at the end of a speech or presentation. Instead we use the very specific

ご清聴ありがとうございました。  (goseichou arigatou gozaimashita)

or “Thank you very much for your attention”. This is commonly used in business presentations and speeches, as it both signals the end of what you have to say, and gives a very formal and professional impression to those listening. Remember to bow afterwards, as it comes as a set as the final greeting. 

Note:  When writing it out, please be careful that you want to use ご清聴 and not ご静聴 . They look very similar and are pronounced the same, but the former is what you want to use at the end of the speech.  静聴 means to listen quietly, so it may be said at the beginning of a show or when things get noisy. But if you use this one at the end of a presentation, such as on your last slide (although this is quite rarely included in slides and just said verbally), you would be specifically telling the audience "Thank you for listening quietly."

To express overall gratitude, please use ご清聴 .

Now that you've learned how to say thank you for listening in Japanese, how about learning some other ways to show appreciation in different situations? 

Take a look at some of our other articles: 

• Saying Thank you in Japanese
• How to say You're Welcome in Japanese
• Thank you for coming (and thank you for inviting me) in Japanese
• Writing a thank you card in Japanese
• No thank you in Japanese

We hope these are helpful for you!

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• Thank you (ありがとう)

How to say "Thank you" in Japanese (ありがとう)

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Road-Map: How to Make Your Japanese Speech

Introduction

Each language has own manner when making a speech. Although a Japanese speech is not an exception, it is difficult for learners to get a feel of this style. It may not be necessary to follow it correctly, but, on the other hand, if you can make your Japanese speech in this way, it would make a huge difference in the effect on the audience. In this article, you will learn how you can perfect your Japanese presentations.

Complete Map: How to make a Japanese Speech

Target readers.

People who are going to make a Japanese speech or presentation.

Step 1 Selection of Japanese Script Structure

• Ki-Sho-Ten-Ketsu Structure
• Jo-Ha-Kyu Structure
• Introduction-Body-Conclusion Structure

Step 2 Writing Your Japanese Script

• Imitate Great Speaker; How to Write Your Japanese Script
• The Best Length of Sentence for Your Japanese Script
• Avoid Being Monotone, the End of Japanese Sentences
• Japanese Conjunction, Informal VS. Formal
• Six Quotes from Great Leaders for Your Japanese Script
• Proofread Your Japanese Script by Native Speakers

Step 3 Practicing Your Japanese Speech

• For Your Japanese Speech; Imitate Great Speakers II
• Big Key for Your Japanese Speech; 間 (Ma) Timing
• With Pictures: How Japanese Body Language Works
• During a Japanese Speech, With Vs. Without Your Script

After you completed the above tips and practices, you just need to have some rehearsals. Please be confident, you have made great efforts so far.

I hope you have understood them and you are in the process of following them already. Although I have written down a lot of tips, the most important thing is just to enjoy your Japanese presentation. Yet, in order to do so, you need to practice a lot. Needless to say, the more you practice, the better you will be. Please try to do your best when preparing. What you have done will bring you to where you want to go. Good luck.

Post Script

People can be divided into two groups; people who love and those who hate making a Japanese speech in public. The reason is clear. If you have confidence in your presentation, it is very likely that you will belong to the former group, if not, you will belong to the later group. Then, how can we attain such confidence? This way is also clear. If you have prepared well and practiced enough times, then it is very likely that you will have the confidence. Well, how can we accomplish it for the first time? In order to answer the question, I made this very road-map. I hope a lot of people will succeed in their Japanese presentations and come to love doing so. Thank you very much.

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Essential Business Japanese: Learn the Most Useful Phrases

Now that you’ve been learning Japanese for a while, do you plan on working in Japan or with Japanese speaking clients? Knowing the basic Japanese business phrases will help you communicate smoothly and build better relationships with your colleagues and clients.

Business Japanese is quite different from the casual Japanese used in daily life. It’s important to know particular expressions for work and how to express yourself formally in context of the Japanese business etiquette and culture. Even if you’re not yet fluent, being able to give a courteous greeting in Japanese can make a huge difference, even if it’s just for a business trip to Japan.

In this article, we’ll introduce the most useful Japanese business phrases you need to know for job interviews, meetings, communication with coworkers, handling phone calls and emails, and helpful tips about Japanese business culture.  Bring yourself up a level here at JapanesePod101.com !

• Japanese Business Culture
• Nail Your Job Interview
• Interact with Coworkers
• Sound Smart in a Meeting
• Handle Business Phone Calls
• Handle Business Emails
• How JapanesePod101 Can Help You Learn More Japanese

1. Japanese Business Culture

Before diving into the Japanese business phrases, let’s cover the basics of Japanese business culture and how it works.

1 – Japanese Business Etiquette

Politeness and respect are the most important values in Japanese culture, and these values are emphasized even more in the business world. 

This is clearly pronounced in the Japanese ritual of greeting and bowing. There are various ways to bow according to the level of politeness and whom you’re greeting:

• 会釈 ( Eshaku ) – light greeting for colleagues / bow with upper body to fifteen degrees 
• 敬礼 ( Keirei ) – respectful greeting for clients, gratitude, and apologies / bow with upper body to thirty degrees
• 最敬礼 ( Saikeirei ) – the most respectful greeting for VIP and deep apologies / bow with upper body to forty-five degrees

Exchanging business cards , called 名刺 ( Meishi ), is another basic formality in business situations. This is typically done when you’re meeting someone for the first time, especially if the person works for another company. Business cards are considered to be one’s “face” in Japan, and therefore must be treated politely.

Here are some tips on Japanese business card usage: When exchanging cards, stand face-to-face and offer your card with both hands, usually with a slight bow. The card must be facing toward the other person so that the receiver can read it. Accept the other person’s card with both hands, and after taking a look at it, you must put it on the table near the receiver’s seat in a neat manner. It’s considered very rude to give/receive a card with just one hand, treat it brusquely, or put the card in a card holder right after receiving it.

Exchanging business cards is one of the most important business etiquette rules in Japan.

2 – Keigo (Honorific Language) is a Must

Being able to use the appropriate Japanese business honorifics is considered good manners in Japan. 

In business settings, people may be regarded as incompetent if they can’t command 敬語 ( Keigo ) , or honorific language, properly .

The Japanese honorific language has three different forms of respectful speech: 

• 丁寧語 ( Teineigo ) – polite language
• 尊敬語 ( Sonkeigo ) – respectful language
• 謙譲語 ( Kenjōgo ) – humble language

There are different ways of saying a given verb depending on whom you’re talking to and whose action you’re referring to. For example:

3 – Finding a Job in Japan

Working in Japan can be difficult for foreigners because of visas, language barriers, limited options, and an unfamiliar working culture. However, there are opportunities for foreigners to find a job in Japan.

Although English is not an official language here, Japan is still one of the strongest countries economically, with a number of international companies in big cities and numerous local companies aiming to go abroad. There is also a big demand for English speakers in Japan’s educational sector.

Depending on what skills and competencies you have, your mother tongue, and how fluent you are in Japanese, finding a job in Japan is within your reach!

Our article about How to Find a Job in Japan provides detailed information for you. Check it out!

4 – Business Japanese Vocabulary

Here’s a list of frequently used vocabulary words for work.

You can find even more words, and their pronunciation, on our Workplace vocabulary list.

2. Nail Your Job Interview

When you get the opportunity to have an interview, make sure you give them the best impression you can!

In conjunction with a relaxed smile, a willing attitude, and confidence, the following business phrases in Japanese can help you stand out and get your dream job.

1 – ___と申します。( ___ to mōshimasu. )

Translation: “My name is ___.”

The first thing you do when entering the interview room is introduce yourself.

申します ( mōshimasu ) is 謙譲語 ( Kenjōgo ), or humble language, for 言う ( iu ), which means “to say.” The phrase is literally translated as: “I say myself as ___,” in a humble way.

In any business setting, using Kenjōgo when referring to yourself gives the interviewer the impression that you’re very polite and decent.

2 – どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。( Dōzo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu. ) 

Translation: “I beg your kindness.” / “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Dōzo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu is a more polite version of yoroshiku onegai shimasu , one of the most commonly used phrases in Japanese. In fact, it’s unique to the Japanese language, and not easily translatable into other languages.

This phrase is very useful in any formal situation. It can be used to say something like:

• “Nice to meet you.” 
• “Favorably please.” 
• “Best regards.” 
• “Please take care of me.”

By saying this, it shows your gratitude and humbleness in hoping to have a good relationship from that point forward.

Say this phrase after giving your name and introducing yourself, and before starting the actual interview. 

3 – 私の 強み / 弱み は___です。( Watashi no tsuyomi / yowami wa ___ desu. )  

Translation: “My strength / weakness is ___.”

強み ( tsuyomi ) is “strength” and 弱み ( yowami )  is “weakness.”

In order to let the interviewer know that you are an ideal candidate for the position, explain your strengths. In addition, it leaves a good impression when you’re able to explain your weaknesses and how you can improve. This shows that you have good analysis skills, problem-solving skills, and a positive attitude.

私の強みはチームをまとめるリーダーシップと決断力です。 Watashi no tsuyomi wa chīmu o matomeru rīdāshippu to ketsudanryoku desu. “My strengths are the leadership to pull a team together and decision-making ability.”

私の弱みは時々楽観的になり過ぎることです。 Watashi no yowami wa tokidoki rakkanteki ni narisugiru koto desu. “My weakness is that I sometimes become too optimistic.”

4 – 私は___の経験があります。( Watashi wa ___ no keiken ga arimasu. ) 

Translation: “I have experience as ___.”

経験 ( keiken ) is “experience.”

Use this phrase when explaining your experience to show that you are a competent candidate.

私は20人のチームマネージャーの経験があります。 Watashi wa 20-nin no chīmu manējā no keiken ga arimasu. “I have experience as a team manager of twenty members.”

5 – もう一度おっしゃっていただけますか。( Mō ichido osshatte itadakemasu ka. )  

Translation: “Could you please say it again?”

おっしゃる ( ossharu ) is 尊敬語 ( Sonkeigo ), or respectful language, for 言う ( iu ), which means “to say.” It respectfully refers to an action the other speaker performed.

This phrase is a very polite way to ask someone to repeat what they said when you couldn’t hear or understand the first time.

You can also use this phrase if you want a little bit more time to think about how to respond. You can earn some extra time by saying this to your interviewer, without an awkward silence!

6 – いくつか質問してもいいですか。( Ikutsu ka shitsumon shite mo ii desu ka. )  

Translation: “Can I ask you some questions?”

If something is unclear during the interview, you can use this phrase to let the interviewer know that you have some questions. This phrase is also very versatile; you can use it anytime and with anyone.

7 – 面接のお時間をいただき、どうもありがとうございました。( Mensetsu no o-jikan o itadaki, dōmo arigatō gozaimashita. )  

Translation: “Thank you very much for making time for the interview.” At the end of the interview, say this phrase with a smile. Make sure you don’t forget a polite bow, or 敬礼 ( Keirei ), before leaving the interview room.

面接を受けます ( Mensetsu o ukemasu ) – “take an interview”

3. Interact with Coworkers

When you talk with colleagues, it’s usually sufficient to use 丁寧語 ( Teineigo ), or polite language, as long as they’re your subordinate, of a similar age, or hold a similar level of job position. 

However, when you’re talking to superiors, bosses, or someone respectable—such as a company president—you should use 尊敬語 ( Sonkeigo ), or respectful language, and 謙譲語 ( Kenjōgo ), or humble language, properly.

Some people use casual language when talking to their subordinates, but it’s recommended that you never use casual language in the workplace, even if you’re close to your colleagues.

1- おはようございます ( Ohayō gozaimasu. )

Translation: “Good morning.”

This is the first word you should say when you show up at your workplace. Most people arrive at work in the morning, but in some industries where work starts later in the day, they still use this phrase as the first greeting upon arrival, even if it’s in the afternoon or evening. 

2 – お疲れ様です/でした ( Otsukare-sama desu/deshita. )

Translation: “Good work today.” / “Goodbye.”

This is another untranslatable Japanese word that is frequently used among colleagues. 

It’s literally translated as “(You must be) tired” (with respect), but it can also mean “hello,” “well done,” “see you,” “goodbye,” etc. Yes, it’s a very useful phrase. Just remember that です ( desu ) is present tense and でした ( deshita ) is past tense. 

When you pass by one of your colleagues in a hallway, for example, you can say this phrase to them as “hi,” which has a nuance of caring and respect. You can also use this to mean “well done” after someone finishes their presentation, and as “goodbye” or “see you” when you leave the office. 

お疲れ様でした。プレゼンとても良かったです。 Otsukare-sama deshita. Purezen totemo yokatta desu. “Well done. The presentation was very good.”

お疲れ様でした。ではまた明日。 Otsukare-sama deshita. Dewa mata ashita. “See you tomorrow, then.”

3 – お先に失礼します ( Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu )

Translation: “Please excuse me leaving before you.”

The literal translation, broken down, is:

• お先に ( osaki ni ) – “before you”
• 失礼します ( shitsurei shimasu ) – “I do rude/impolite”

This phrase reflects the Japanese working culture, in which people feel guilty for leaving the office while their colleagues are still working. Traditionally, there is an implicit rule that you should not leave before your boss or team, even if you’ve finished your own work. This is because it’s considered impolite to do so, and it may indicate that you’re not as hard of a worker as those who are still working. 

Such tradition is disappearing nowadays, but by using this phrase, you can leave the office without guilt while still being courteous to your colleagues.

4 – いってきます / いってらっしゃい ( Ittekimasu. / Itterasshai. )

Translation: “I’m leaving now.” / “Take care.”

This is a standard greeting pair for when someone leaves the office to visit clients or even just to have lunch (and intend to come back later). 

It’s polite to announce that you’re leaving by saying: いってきます ( ittekimasu ), meaning “I’m going.” Those who remain in the office should respond with the phrase いってらっしゃい ( itterasshai ), which means: “(You) go” with a respectful nuance. 

If you want to be even more polite, you can also say いってまいります ( Ittemairimasu ), which is  謙譲語 ( Kenjōgo ), or humble language, for “I go.” 

___ へいってきます 。 ___ e ittekimasu. “I’m going to ___.”

いってらっしゃい 。 Itterasshai. “Take care.”

5 – ただいま戻りました / おかえりなさい ( Tadaima modorimashita. / Okaerinasai. )

Translation: “I’ve returned now.” / “Welcome back.”

This is another set of polite Japanese business phrases, used when someone has come back to the office. 

It may sound a bit strange that you should announce when you’re leaving and coming back, but there’s a reason for it. The Japanese work culture places great value on teamwork and the concept of 報告・連絡・相談( Hō-Ren-Sō ), or “Report-Inform-Consult,” for better work efficiency.

By announcing where you are to your colleagues, whether you’re going or coming back, it will make things easier on everyone. For example, if you get a phone call while you’re away or there’s an emergency, your colleagues will know where you are. 

お昼休憩から戻りました。 O-hiru kyūkei kara modorimashita. “I’m back from a lunch break.”

おかえりなさい 。 Okaerinasai. “Welcome back.”

4. Sound Smart in a Meeting

In most workplaces, meetings are inevitable. 

Use our list of useful Japanese phrases for business meetings to really be present during the conversation and show your colleagues how well you’re performing. 

1 – 会議を始めましょうか。( Kaigi o hajimemashō ka. )  

Translation: “Shall we start the meeting?”

2 – 今日の議題は___です。( Kyō no gidai wa ___ desu. )

Translation: “Today’s agenda is ___.”

3 – ___さん、プレゼンをお願いします。( ___-san, purezen o onegai shimasu. )  

Translation: “Mr./Ms. ___, please start the presentation.”

さん (- san ) is the most common Japanese honorific title to refer to someone politely, including colleagues. It can be used for both males and females, and it’s equivalent to the English titles “Mr.” and “Ms.” On the other hand, when you’re talking to clients or customers, you should use the more respectful 様 (- sama ). 

4 – この事案について、何か意見はありますか。( Kono jian ni tsuite, nani ka iken wa arimasu ka. )

Translation: “Do you have any opinions / questions on this matter?”

You can replace 意見 ( iken ), or “opinion,” with 質問 ( shitsumon ), meaning “question,” to ask: “Do you have any questions on this matter?”

To say it more politely, when talking to a client or customer for example, put the polite particle ご ( go ) in front of 意見 ( iken ) or 質問 ( shitsumon ). Also change ありますか ( arimasu ka ) to ございますか ( gozaimasu ka ). The end result will be:

何かご質問/ご意見はございますか。 Nani ka go-iken / go-shitsumon wa gozaimasu ka.

5 – 私は___さんの意見に賛成です。( Watashi wa ___-san no iken ni sansei desu. )

Translation: “I agree with Mr./Ms. ___’s opinion.”

You can also replace 賛成 ( sansei ), meaning “agree,” with 反対 ( hantai ), meaning “disagree.” 

6 – 次の会議までに報告書を提出してください。( Tsugi no kaigi made ni hōkokusho o teishutsu shite kudasai. )  

Translation: “Please submit a report by the next meeting.”

会議を始めましょうか。( Kaigi o hajimemashō ka. ) – “Shall we start the meeting?”

5. Handle Business Phone Calls

Unlike business customs in other countries, Japanese business etiquette is quite strict and requires delicate attention, especially when it comes to dealing with clients and customers.

There are a lot of detailed rules for handling business phone calls, and these are considered the basics of business. They include: 

Here’s a list of commonly used phrases for business Japanese phone conversations.

1 – はい、もしもし、___でございます。( Hai, moshimoshi, ___ de gozaimasu. )

Translation: “Hello, this is ___.” 

This one is simple. When receiving a phone call, give the person your name or your company’s name.

2 – いつもお世話になっております。( Itsumo o-sewa ni natte orimasu. ) 

Translation: “Thank you for always being a good business partner with us.”

This is another untranslatable Japanese phrase, used as a typical greeting toward clients/customers when answering phone calls, writing emails, and even talking with them in person.

It’s literally translated as “I’m always taken care of,” and it means something along the lines of “Thank you for your always kind cooperation.” This phrase shows gratitude toward clients/customers for their favor, support, or cooperation. 

3 – ___ さんはいらっしゃいますか。( ___-san wa irasshaimasu ka. )

Translation: “Is Mr./Ms. ___ there?”

いらっしゃる ( irassharu ) is 尊敬語 ( Sonkeigo ), or respectful language, for いる ( iru ), which means “be (there).”

4 – 少々お待ちくださいませ。( Shōshō o-machi kudasai mase. )  

Translation: “Please wait for a moment.”

5 – ___ はただいま外出しております。( ___ wa tadaima gaishutsu shite orimasu. )  

Translation: “___ is currently out of the office.”

Remember that you should not use an honorific title when talking about your colleague to a client/customer.

6 – ___ へ折り返しお電話をさしあげるよう申し伝えます。( ___ e orikaeshi o-denwa o sashiageru yō mōshitsutaemasu. )

Translation: “I will tell ___ to call you back,” in a respectful way.

This is a very polite and respectful expression. さしあげる ( sashiageru ) and 申し伝える( mōshitsutaeru ) are 謙譲語 ( Kenjōgo ), or humble language, for “give” and “tell,” respectively.

7 – お電話いただき、どうもありがとうございました。( O-denwa itadaki, dōmo arigatō gozaimashita. )

Translation: “Thank you very much for calling.”

少々お待ちくださいませ。( Shōshō o-machi kudasai mase. ) – “Please wait for a moment.”

6. Handle Business Emails

Like phone call etiquette, Japanese business email etiquette adheres to a number of detailed rules.

Following are the basics of writing professional emails:

Here’s a list of the most useful phrases for writing business emails.

1 – ___ 様 / ___ さん ( ___-sama / ___-san )

Translation: (“Dear Mr. ___ / Ms. ___”)

Use 様 (- sama ) for clients/customers and さん (- san ) for colleagues.

2 – 平素よりお世話になっております。( Heiso yori o-sewa ni natte orimasu. )  

Here, 平素より ( heiso yori ) is a more polite expression than いつも ( itsumo ) for “always/usually.”

3 – ___の件でメールいたしました。( ___ no ken de mēru itashimashita. )  

Translation: “I’m writing regarding ___.”

To break it down, いたす ( itasu ) is 謙譲語 ( Kenjōgo ), or humble language, for する ( suru ), meaning “do.” 

When you combine メール (“[e]mail”) and する (“do”), it becomes: メールする (“write/send email”).

4 – 添付資料をご確認くださいませ。( Tenpu shiryō o go-kakunin kudasai mase. )  

Translation: “Please check the document attached.”

5 – 何かご不明点、ご質問がございましたら、ご遠慮なくお知らせください。( Nani ka go-fumeiten, go-shitsumon ga gozaimashitara, go-enryo naku o-shirase kudasai. ) 

Translation: “Should anything be unclear or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

7. How JapanesePod101 Can Help You Learn More Japanese

In this article, we introduced the most useful Japanese business phrases and talked about Japanese business etiquette and culture. I hope you enjoyed today’s topic and that you were able to learn more about the Japanese culture and workplace.

If you would like more information about the Japanese language, you’ll find much more helpful content on JapanesePod101.com . We provide a variety of free lessons to help you improve your Japanese language skills. Here are some more pages on our website related to work: 

• Phrases for Doing Business Successfully
• Words and Phrases for the Most Useful Skills
• Jobs / Work

And there’s so much more! 

For example, when you subscribe to our Premium PLUS plan, you’ll get a personal one-on-one coaching service called MyTeacher . Your private teacher will help you practice your pronunciation and give you personalized feedback and advice to help you improve efficiently. 

Learn Japanese in the fastest and most fun way with JapanesePod101.com !

Before you go, let us know in the comments if there are any business Japanese phrases you still want to know! We’d be glad to help, and we look forward to hearing from you!

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How to write a thank you speech

With example speeches and a printable planner

By:  Susan Dugdale  | Last modified: 04-22-2022

A thank you speech or appreciation speech prepared and given with sincerity means a lot to those you acknowledge.

Dive right in. There's all the assistance you need on this page to write an excellent speech of thanks.

What you'll find on this page

• the types of occasions it could be good to have a thank you speech ready to give
• best practice and content suggestions to guide you step by step through writing a short thank you speech
• a sample thank you speech for an award (and a link to an example thank you speech for a 18th birthday party)
• a printable thank you speech planner to download
• links to thank you quotations you may like to use
• notes covering rehearsal and delivery   

'No man is an island'

When we achieve, we usually do so because others have helped. Your speech of appreciation is the gift or acknowledgment you give in return for what was given you.

When is a thank you speech appropriate?

Any time is good to say thank you! However, a more formal speech of thanks could fit any of these occasions.

• for coming to my graduation, farewell, birthday, or retirement party
• for the promotion
• for the award
• for coming to our wedding and your gifts, our engagement party, our 50th wedding anniversary
• for coming to the opening of my new business...

Be prepared! Best practice guidelines

Generally the decision to leap to your feet and give a thank you speech is not spontaneous. You will likely have some forewarning and time to consider exactly what you want to say and who you want to mention.

Deciding on the content

Cover these three content areas and you'll be fine.

• WHO are you thanking? Note their names in ranking order- the most important first.
• WHAT are you thanking them for? Be specific rather than general. Naming what you are grateful for gives your thanks more meaning.
• WHAT did their gift of time, expertise, encouragement, money... mean to you? Again, be specific. This is your chance to publicly give credit where it's due, to compliment, to praise. Take it.

Writing your speech

When you've sorted out who you wish to mention and what for, you are ready to begin writing.

Like any other form of speech you need 3 parts:- an opening, the body or middle where you put all your acknowledgments, and a conclusion.

1. Introduction/opening

In your introduction or opening give the reason for the occasion and why it is you're going to thank everyone. What you say, and how you say it, will set the tone for the remainder of the speech.

Depending on the number of people on your 'thank you/appreciation' list and the amount of time you have, consider including a small story about the lead-up making this event possible. A well-chosen personal anecdote will always go down well because it lets those listening share your experience more deeply.

Check out this page on story telling in speeches for more information.

In the body of your speech, start at the top of your list of people to thank and work your way through it. Take care to give the most important people the most time.

For those whom you want to mention but don't have enough time to make individual acknowledgments consider grouping them according to function.

Example: "To Alex, Mary, Judy and Sam, thank you for making me remember to laugh. You helped me keep my sanity and perspective when the going was tough."

3. Conclusion

In the conclusion, summarize your main points and finish.

Return to Top

Sample thank you speech for receiving an award 

Here's a short sample thank you speech for you to see how it could be done. There are many ways covering the required content. This is one.

The person giving this speech is thanking an organization for giving him an award. 

It is 374 words long. When spoken it will take approximately 2 minutes + to deliver. That's about the right length. It's brief and covers everything needed.

As you read it through imagine hearing it out loud. 

Speech text

"Who's considered the incredible power of thank you?  Those two words express gratitude, humility, understanding, as well as acknowledgement.

I am here with you: my family, many of my friends and colleagues because I need to say all of that, and then some more.

Thank you for coming to share my being given the Fred Smith Award for Community Service. It's very humbling.

There's a phrase I'm sure you know: it takes a village to raise a child. In this case it's not a child that's been raised but awareness and a long needed community resource -  the  Parksville Community Literacy Center.  The village behind it and me, is you.

In particular thank you to my wife Marlene who has always understood and shared my conviction that communities are healthiest when its resources are equally shared, and that the ability to read underpins long term social and economic well being.

I know the hours I spent after work helping to establish our new Center tested her, especially when I was home late, again.

Remarkably she continues to support, and love me.  For that I will always be grateful.

Mary Hill, Catherine Beech and Matthew Fall from the Fred Smith Foundation – thank you for sharing the vision of an integrated community and for being so incredibly supportive. You understood what we were trying to achieve and helped make it possible. Your generous gifts of time, expertise and funds are deeply appreciated.

This award may have my name on it, but in truth it belongs to everybody who has worked to make the center a reality. Have you got a spare day or two? If I called out all those people we'd be here for quite some time! Instead, I'll simply say thank you. You know who you are.

The time and effort you've given ensures that the Parksville people who want it will have access to effective literacy programs and resources. That is a priceless gift.  As Nobel Peace Prize winner former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan said “Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope.”

Thank you for the award and thank you on behalf of all those who will cross that bridge to a brighter future." 

Here's another example. This one is a thank you speech for a birthday . The speaker is thanking his parents and guests for the celebration in honor of his 18th birthday. 

Thanks but NO thanks!

What I really need is a Thanksgiving Speech!

And it's here. Choose a theme. Complete the template. And give your Thanksgiving Speech with confidence.

Get a printable thank you speech planner

Regardless of whether you are preparing a thank you speech for the guests who came to your wedding, engagement, retirement, farewell, graduation or birthday party, the steps are the same.

This printable planner will guide you through the four needed. Each one is fully explained with an example.

Completing it will make writing your speech so much easier.

Either click the link or the image below to: download a printable thank you speech planner .

Use a quotation to help show your gratitude

Before you finalize the content, check out these 'thank you quotations' .

They offer different ways of expressing your gratitude. You could find just what you need to spark your creativity and provide the thread/theme to unite your speech. It can be so much more than a long string of thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ...

Tips to help you get your thank you speech right

Rehearsal, practice and feedback.

Many people make the assumption that once they've got the words of their speech sorted, they're set to go.

That's not true! Practice completes the process.

Giving yourself several  rehearsals, firstly by yourself and then in front of  friends or family, will help enormously. Click the link for detailed information about  how to rehearse effectively .

For the condensed and shortened version covering good rehearsal practice follow the points below.

1. Content check

Before investing too much time and energy into rehearsing your speech say it through in front of a few trusted friends or colleagues.  It is much, much easier to change text prior to practicing it than after you've begun working with it. Ask them to listen:

• to make sure you've included everyone you should, in the right order and thanked them for the right things.
• for tone. Does the vocabulary fit the occasion? Are the stories right? Is the speech positive? Is it inclusive?

Edit as needed, and then have your test audience listen again. 

Getting the timing right is an essential part of making it a success. Go on too long and people stop listening. Be too brief and there's a danger you've missed things out.

The only way to find out how long your speech is, is to time yourself as you say it out loud at a normal speaking rate. If it's too long, look for areas you can cut. Maybe you need to group a few  more people together or perhaps you need to shorten some of the specific examples about why it is you're thanking someone.  If it's too short, add more detail.  Repeat until you get the length right.

If you'd like to check the number of words you have in your speech against how many minutes it will take to say them go to: how many words per minute are there in a speech .

3. Use cue cards

If you're at all worried about forgetting things, losing your place or muddling what you want to say, use cue cards. They'll take the anxiety away.

Write the main points of your thank you speech on cue cards. Good notes will keep you on track while ensuring you cover everything you want to like, for instance, the name of every person you want to thank and why.

(Click the link if you don't know about using or how to make cue cards . Cue cards are preferable to reading your speech.

However sometimes you just have to read because...for all sorts of reasons. If that's you, do it well. Find out how to read a speech effectively .)

*About  The Speech Builder  - this is an app that "builds" personalized speeches.  If you're needing a speech to say thank you for an award of any sort; academic, sporting, civic, or artistic,  the speech builder can help.

Are you sweating over a business thank you speech?

One thanking your colleagues for a job well done?

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Thank-You Speech

Thank you speech generator.

Crafting a heartfelt thank-you speech is an art that requires eloquence and sincerity. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the nuances of expressing gratitude effectively. Discover a selection of speech examples , each tailored to inspire and assist in conveying your appreciation with impact and grace. Whether for a formal event or a personal occasion, these examples serve as a blueprint for creating a memorable and meaningful message. Let’s embark on this journey of gratitude together, exploring the art of thank-you speeches.

What is Thank You Speech? A thank you speech is a short talk where you express your gratitude towards people or organizations for their support, help, or contribution to a particular event, achievement, or occasion. It’s a way to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts and kindness of others, often highlighting specific examples of how they’ve assisted or influenced you. This speech can be given at various events, like award ceremonies, weddings, retirements, or any occasion where you want to publicly thank those who have helped you.

Download Thank You Speech Bundle

Have you ever heard of an old saying, “No man is an island”? We probably heard that a million times. That saying is actually true because when we became successful, we usually achieve that because someone has helped us. And our thank-you speech skills could be the best thing we can do in return. You may also see presentation speech examples. A thank-you speech template is your chance to express how truly and sincerely grateful you are to all the people who helped you along the way. It doesn’t matter how long your thank-you speech is, as long as you speak from the heart and making your thank-you speech a heartfelt and meaningful one.

Thank You Speech Format

Introduction.

Start with a warm greeting to the audience. Mention the occasion or reason for your speech.

Acknowledgment of the Audience

Acknowledge the presence of important guests, if any. Express your appreciation for everyone who has taken the time to be there.

Expression of Gratitude

Specify the person or group you are thanking. Describe the support, gift, or contribution they have made. Explain how their support was significant to you or the event/achievement.

Personal Reflections

Share a brief personal story or reflection that illustrates the impact of the support or contribution. Highlight the personal qualities of the individuals you are thanking, if appropriate.

Summarize your feelings of gratitude. End with a warm closing statement, wishing everyone well or expressing hope for the future.

Example of Thank You Speech

“Good evening, everyone. I stand before you today filled with immense gratitude. First and foremost, I want to express my deepest thanks to the organizing committee for this wonderful event and the opportunity to address this gathering. I am truly honored and humbled by the overwhelming support and encouragement from my colleagues, friends, and family. Your unwavering belief in me has been a constant source of strength and motivation throughout this journey. I also want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the mentors and teachers whose guidance has shaped my path and instilled in me the values of perseverance and determination. A special thanks to the incredible team whose hard work and dedication made today possible. Your commitment and collaboration have been instrumental in achieving our collective goals. Lastly, to each person in this room, your presence here tonight signifies a shared commitment to our cause. Your support has not gone unnoticed, and I am deeply grateful for your continuous encouragement and belief in our vision. Thank you all for being a part of this remarkable journey. Your support means the world to me. Thank you.”

Thank You Speech Samples to Edit & Download

• Thank you Speech for Farewell
• Thank you Speech for Principal
• Thank you Speech for Science Exhibition
• Thank you Speech for Birthday Wishes
• Thank you Speech for Seniors on Farewell Party
• Thank you Speech for Teachers from Students
• Thank you Speech for Students
• Thank you Speech for Guest
• Thank you Speech for Support
• Thank You Speech to Boss
• Thank You Speech to Colleagues
• Thank You Speech after Winning Election
• Thank You Speech for Parents
• Thank You Speech to Wedding Guests
• Thank you Speech for Freshers Party
• Thank you Speech for Award
• Thank you Speech for Teachers
• Thank you Speech for an Event
• Graduation Thank You Speech
• Thank You Speech to Volunteer

Thank You Speech Examples & Templates

1. thank you speech example.

Free PDF Download

2. Thank You Speech for Students

Edit & Download

3. Thank You Speech for Support

4. Short Thank-You Speech Example

5. Wedding Thank-You Example

thank-you-notes.com

6. Business Speech Sample Example

7. Retirement Thank-You Speech Example

8. Teacher Thank-You Example

alanbarrell.com

9. Appreciation Short Thank You Speech

11. Formal Thank-You Speech

creativeindustriestrafford.org

12. Award Acceptance Speech Example

browngold.com

13. Thank-You Speech for Volunteers

musicforallsmsg.org

10 Lines on Thank You Speech for an Event

Parts of a Thank-You Speech

Just like any other speeches, a thank-you speech has 3 main part: the introduction speech , the body of your speech, and the conclusion.

1. The introduction

In the introduction or opening of your speech, you need to tell everyone the reason why you are giving a thank-you speech. May be you just achieve a new milestone or just want to thank everyone. You may also see informative speech examples & samples

2. The body

This is where you mention the people that helped you work your way through and the things that they did.

3. The conclusion

This is the part where summarize your speech and end it by saying thanks. You may also like motivational speech examples & samples

What to Include in Writing a Thank-You Speech?

In a thank-you speech, there are three major essentials to include. You may also like award speech examples

1. Who are you thanking?

Note all the people that helped you achieve a personal or career milestone. It helps to rank them—the most important first.

2. What are you thanking them for?

Write the things that you are grateful about. It will make your thank-you speech more meaningful and significant. You may also see special occasion speech examples & samples

3. How much their gifts, lesson, time, guidance, and encouragement mean to you.

Appreciate and praise all the things people gave you that help you become successful.

How to Write a Thank-You Speech

The most exhausting part in writing a thank-you speech is that you have to remember the people who helped you along the way. But that shouldn’t stop you from giving them a thank-you. Follow these steps to write a meaningful thank-you speech for them. You may also check out appreciation speech examples & samples

• Prepare a thank-you speech outline.
• Make a complete list to all the people you should be thanking and arranged them according to their level of priority.
• Write what are you thanking them for.
• And, state your heartfelt appreciation for their gifts, time, and encouragement.

If you are looking for other kinds of speeches, we have wedding speech examples here as well.

Tips for Writing a Thank-You Speech

Your thank-you speech should be one of the most memorable keynote speeches you ever talk. That’s because it highlights the people and the things they did that means so much to you.

Do you have a thank-you speech coming up soon? Follow these tips and you’ll be fine.

• Always be prepared ahead of time.
• Write as if you are talking to one person only.
• Keep your thank-you speech short and sweet.
• Don’t be too formal. You are not writing a retirement speech . Include some funny events too.
• Practice and rewrite your speech.

How to Deliver a Thank You Speech for an Award or Special Occasion

• Begin with a warm greeting and express gratitude to the audience for their presence.
• Acknowledge the significance of the award or occasion. Express genuine appreciation for the recognition.
• Thank the individuals or organization presenting the award. Acknowledge their role and the value of the honor.
• Acknowledge and thank those who contributed to your success or the event’s success. Mention mentors, colleagues, or loved ones.
• Share briefly how the award or occasion has impacted you personally or professionally.
• Offer a brief inspirational message or reflect on the significance of the award or occasion.
• Conclude by expressing heartfelt thanks once again. Reiterate your gratitude and end on a positive note.
• Rehearse your speech to ensure a confident and sincere delivery. Maintain eye contact and speak clearly and passionately.

What do you say in a thank you speech?

• Acknowledging the Occasion: Recognize the significance of the event or award.
• Thanking the Hosts/Organizers: Express appreciation to those who organized the event or granted the award.
• Recognizing Supporters: Acknowledge the contribution of mentors, colleagues, or loved ones.
• Personal Impact: Share briefly how the occasion or award has affected you.
• Inspiring or Reflecting: Offer an inspirational message or reflect on the importance of the occasion.
• Closing with Thanks: Conclude by reiterating heartfelt gratitude and end positively.

FAQ’s

How do you start a thankful speech.

Begin a thankful speech by warmly greeting the audience, acknowledging the occasion’s significance, and expressing heartfelt gratitude toward the hosts, organizers, supporters, and attendees.

Is a thank you speech just meant for expressing gratitude?

While a thank you speech primarily expresses gratitude, it also acknowledges support, shares appreciation, reflects on significance, and inspires, fostering a deeper connection and meaningful engagement with the audience.

Does a thank you speech have to be formal?

A thank you speech can range from formal to informal, depending on the occasion. It should match the event’s tone, audience, and context while maintaining sincerity and respect.

How do you say thank you in speaking?

In spoken English, you can express gratitude by saying “Thank you,” or use variations like “Thanks a lot,” “Thank you so much,” “I really appreciate it,” or “I’m grateful.” Each phrase communicates appreciation in different levels of formality.

In the closing section, summarize your main points, reiterate your thanks, and end on a positive, forward-looking note. For detailed guidance on crafting each of these parts, you might find the following resources helpful. Harvard University offers practical tips on public speaking, which can be adapted for thank-you speeches. More information can be found on their website  Harvard Tips for Public Speaking .

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Write a Thank You Speech for a community service project.

Create a Thank You Speech for donors at a fundraising event.

U.S. pro-Palestinian protesters question campus limits on free speech

As a surge of pro-Palestinian demonstrations on U.S. college campuses has been curtailed in recent weeks, including through police action with thousands arrested nationwide, some students have grown disillusioned with university authorities for what they see as betrayals of free speech rights due to political pressure.

Following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by the militant group Hamas and the beginning of the Jewish state's counteroffensives targeting the Gaza Strip, student protesters came together to call mainly for their universities to cut financial ties with Israel, accusing it of disproportional military actions with dire humanitarian consequences.

Some 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas attack, while the death toll from Israeli military campaigns has topped 36,000, according to Gaza health authorities. Washington's failure to discontinue military aid to Israel despite publicly questioning its tactics in the months-old war has also been a focus of U.S. protests.

Amid chaotic scenes around major campuses, the U.S. Congress has scrutinized Ivy League schools like Columbia University in New York, where a massive pro-Palestinian encampment became a catalyst for similar protest actions at other U.S. colleges as well as in Canada and Europe.

The fallout, with politicians questioning university leaders at committee hearings and accusing them of failing to secure their campuses, led to the presidents of Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania stepping down.

Others such as Columbia President Minouche Shafik, also facing pressure to resign, presided over aggressive crackdowns that involved large-scale arrests by police, administrative punishments and revised policies to limit protest.

"It's been horrible. It's truly draconian methods to silence freedom of speech," said Linnea Norton, 26, a Ph.D. student in ecology at Columbia.

Norton, who described being arrested on April 18 along with about a hundred other peaceful protesters on the campus lawn, said the decision to call in police was a "politically motivated" move by Shafik a day after she was grilled in Washington at a congressional hearing.

Following the arrest, Norton was indefinitely suspended with her university card deactivated, preventing her from accessing campus facilities, she said.

House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson and others have labeled pro-Palestinian campus protests as antisemitic. The top Republican suggested in April that the National Guard be brought in to maintain order at Columbia, while 21 House Democrats called for the university's board members to resign if they could not disperse the protesters.

Norton disputed the characterization of the protests as antisemitic, noting the presence of pro-Palestinian Jewish students in the encampment and that she herself is of Jewish descent.

"There's a perception that simply advocating for the human rights of Palestinians to be able to live freely in their land is somehow antisemitic, which is not," she said.

But for Andrew Stein, a 22-year-old computer science student at Columbia, the protests have been overshadowed by hostility. He said administrators needed to keep the campus safe as he and other Jewish students were experiencing antisemitic incidents.

When Stein and some friends held a pro-Israel rally over a recent weekend, a group of masked pro-Palestinian protesters stole one of their Israeli flags and splashed water in his face, he said.

"I have no problem with people being pro-Palestinian and exercising the right to protest and the right to free speech, but I just want to be safe," he said.

At New York University, a 25-year-old graduate student who identified herself with the initials R.D. said she "would not stop" protesting despite witnessing the arrests of about 150 protesters last month, including some of her fellow students and faculty members.

"I think there's a real threat to free speech in this country," she said.

R.D. pushed back on the idea that "outside agitators" were hijacking the student movement, a claim she said was used by police to justify arresting students. New York Mayor Eric Adams also used the phrase while arguing for the forceful removal of pro-Palestinian protesters from campuses.

"They think that they can draw lines between students and the community, and that's foolish of them," R.D. said. "An 'outside agitator' is someone who stands in solidarity on principle with the students and our demands."

The University of Southern California, citing safety concerns, announced in April its decision to cancel a graduation speech by valedictorian Asna Tabassum, a Muslim student who expressed pro-Palestinian beliefs on social media, after a pro-Israel group called the posts antisemitic.

In an open letter published on the Council on American-Islamic Relations website, a nonprofit for Muslim rights, Tabassum said she was "shocked" and "profoundly disappointed" that her university was "succumbing to a campaign of hate meant to silence my voice."

Irene Mulvey, president of the American Association of University Professors, a nonprofit aiming to advance academic freedom with chapters at colleges nationwide, criticized politicians for seeking the resignations of university officials.

"We are witnessing a new strain of McCarthyism in the U.S. where politicians are attempting to interfere in the working of higher education to shape it to their agenda," Mulvey said in an email to Kyodo News, referring to the anti-communism campaign in the 1950s led by Sen. Joseph McCarthy.

Student protests at U.S. colleges in part have origins in the Free Speech Movement launched in 1964 at the University of California, Berkeley. As colleges in California at the time restricted student political activities, students conducted sit-ins and protests until the university agreed to honor on campus their first amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution.

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