Looking up...
ありがとう
arigatou
What does "ありがとう" mean?
thank you「助けてくれて、ありがとう！」
“Thanks for helping me!”
How to use "ありがとう" correctly?
informal
Expression of gratitude or thanks
「この本を貸してくれてありがとう！」
“Thanks for lending me this book!”
「ごちそうさまでした。本当にありがとう！」
“Thank you for the meal. I really appreciate it!”
Used in casual or friendly situations. For more formal or polite contexts, use 「ありがとうございます」.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
When to use ありがとう vs ありがとうございます
Use 「ありがとう」 with friends or in casual settings. Use 「ありがとうございます」 in formal situations, such as when speaking to a teacher, boss, or elder. Adding 「どうも」 before 「ありがとう」 (「どうもありがとう」) makes it slightly more casual and friendly.
Gold Rule
Gratitude in Japanese culture
Expressing gratitude is highly valued in Japanese culture. Even small acts of kindness warrant a thank you. Omitting thanks can be seen as rude or indifferent.
Word Origin
From ありがたい (arigatai, 'grateful') + suffix とう (tō, expressing gratitude). The term reflects the idea of something being 'rare' or 'precious,' implying the recipient is grateful for a rare act of kindness.
Usage Notes
「ありがとう」 is the standard informal way to say 'thank you' in Japanese. It is appropriate among friends, family, or peers. In formal settings or when addressing someone of higher status, use 「ありがとうございます」 (arigatou gozaimasu) instead.
Word Breakdown
有り難い (arigatai)
rare/precious + difficult
rootとう (tō)
expresses gratitude
suffix和英辞典