お礼
プレゼントをもらったので、お礼を言いました。
I received a present, so I expressed my gratitude.
Expression of gratitude or thanks, often given in return for a favor or gift.
お客様にお礼の手紙を書きました。
I wrote a thank-you letter to the customer.
彼はお礼に花を贈りました。
He gave flowers as a token of thanks.
Used in polite or formal contexts, often with the verb 言う (to say) or 贈る (to give).
Reward or remuneration given in return for a service or favor.
この仕事にはお礼が支払われます。
This job comes with a reward.
Less common in modern usage; more typical in historical or literary contexts.
Pro Tip
Polite Contexts
Use お礼 when expressing thanks in formal situations, such as after receiving a gift or a favor from a superior or someone you respect. For casual contexts, consider using ありがとう (arigatou) or thanks (casual).
Gold Rule
Formality Matters
お礼 is the appropriate term for formal gratitude. Avoid using it in casual conversations unless you are intentionally using polite language.
Word Origin
From the honorific prefix お- + 礼 (rei, meaning 'thanks' or 'reward'). The prefix お- adds politeness to the noun.
Usage Notes
お礼 is a polite term used in formal or respectful contexts. It is commonly used in business, customer service, or when receiving gifts. The verb 言う (to say) or 贈る (to give) is often attached to form a phrase like お礼を言う (to say thanks) or お礼を贈る (to give thanks).