Polite Expressions for Business Settings<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat Does Arigatou Mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s start by looking at the origin of the Japanese term thank you<\/strong>, arigatou. This word is often seen written in the Japanese alphabet of hiragana \u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046, and many of us are probably also familiar with the longer arigatou gozaimasu<\/strong> \u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059, which is a more formal way to thank someone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhen separating the Chinese characters called kanji<\/strong><\/em> \u6f22\u5b57 that makes \u201carigatou,\u201d \u201cari\u201d \u6709\u308a means \u201cto have\u201d and \u201cgatou\u201d \u96e3\u3046 \u201cdifficult\u201d katai<\/em>; \u96e3\u3044. Together, the phrase translates to \u201c(it is) difficult to have (it, so I\u2019m thankful)\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Origins of Arigatou – Thank You in Japanese<\/h2>\n\n\n\n The concept behind arigatou is believed to have come from Buddhist teachings that one should always be appreciative because everything happens for a reason,<\/strong> and that nothing should be taken for granted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWritten records suggest that arigatou did not take on its current meaning until after the Heian period (8th\u201312th century AD). An interesting theory proposes that arigatou may have been influenced by the Portuguese word obrigado<\/em><\/strong>,<\/em> meaning thank you. This idea stems from the significant impact Portuguese Catholic missionaries had on Japanese history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n4 Ways to Say Thank You in Japanese<\/h2>\n\n\n\n The word arigatou can be used in different ways depending on the formality of the situation. Starting from the most casual form:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nDoumo<\/strong> \u3069\u3046\u3082<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nArigatou<\/strong> \u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nArigatou gozaimasu<\/strong> \u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nDoumo arigatou gozaimasu<\/strong> \u3069\u3046\u3082\u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe term \u201cdoumo\u201d is literally \u201cvery,\u201d while \u201cgozaimasu\u201d is the polite form of \u201cto have\u201d (aru<\/em>; \u3042\u308b). It can be confusing but for the sake of simplicity, remember the longer the expression, the more formal it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDoumo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n A simple doumo<\/strong> as a shortened form of thank you can be used very casually, for instance, when you are exiting a store that you\u2019ve just visited.<\/p>\n\n\n\nArigatou \/ Arigatou Gozaimasu<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Both arigatou<\/strong> and arigatou gozaimasu<\/strong> can be used to thank someone for doing something for you, for example, to a waitress refilling your water, and doumo arigatou gozaimasu<\/strong> to thank someone for a bigger favor or when you have received a gift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nArigatou \/ Arigatou Gozaimashita<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The past tense, arigatou gozaimashita<\/strong> \u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f, is used when you have received a service or favor, or for something that\u2019s happened already. As with the above, adding doumo to the front will emphasize your appreciation further or make it more formal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Polite Expressions for Business Settings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n In business settings, even more polite expressions<\/strong> beyond the basic arigatou phrases are used to show thanks to people of higher rank or social levels. Remember that a polite bow should always accompany an expression of thanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nSumimasen<\/strong> \u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nOsore-irimasu<\/strong> \u6050\u308c\u5165\u308a\u307e\u3059<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhilst both of the above look more like apologies, they are basically interpreted as \u201cI\u2019m sorry to trouble you and I thank you for that.<\/strong>\u201d Note that these apologetic phrases will not make much sense by themselves, so you will often hear them combined into something like:<\/p>\n\n\n\nSumimasen, doumo arigatou gozaimashita<\/strong>.Osore-irimasu ga, makoto ni* arigatou gozaimasu<\/strong>. (*Makoto ni = sincerely)<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen it comes to the less common ways of saying thank you in Japanese, these are typically reserved for specific contexts, such as working in customer service or handling serious situations. The key to expressing gratitude is sincerity, not necessarily using elaborate or formal phrases. <\/strong>Even a simple arigatou can be meaningful when spoken earnestly. Pairing your words with a polite bow adds depth to your appreciation, often saying more than words alone. Whether you’re learning Japanese or planning to visit, focusing on genuine expression will help you connect better and navigate Japanese culture with respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCover photo by Clay Banks<\/a><\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Saying thank you in Japanese can be more than a simple “arigatou”. You can either add more words to it or a sorry if you are really thankful. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":107584,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pgc_meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[26,2050],"tags":[1385,2231,1331,1362],"class_list":{"0":"post-9916","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-culture","8":"category-things-to-know","9":"tag-japanese","10":"tag-living-in-japan","11":"tag-manners","12":"tag-tradition"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
How to Say Thank You in Japanese : Not Just \u201cArigatou\u201d<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n