ありがとうございます

Common wordJLPTN5

Meanings

expression

thank you (polite)

polite (teineigo)usually written using kana alone

Polite expression of gratitude, more formal than ありがとう. Used in business, with strangers, or when showing respect.

ご親しん切せつにありがとうございます。
Thank you very much for your kindness.
本ほん日じつはお越こしいただき、ありがとうございます。
Thank you for coming today.

Written forms

有難ありがとうございます
Kanji spelling using 有難う; rarely used in modern writing.
有あり難がとうございます
Kanji spelling with okurigana 有り難う; very rare.
有難ありがとう御座ございます
Full kanji spelling including 御座います; extremely rare and formal-looking.
ありがとう御ご座ざいます
Mixed kana-kanji spelling; very rare.
有あり難がとう御座ございます
Full kanji spelling with okurigana; extremely rare.

Kanji

有possess, have, exist
難difficult, impossible, trouble
御honorable, manipulate, govern
座squat, seat, cushion

Similar words

ありがとう
Casual form of thank you; used with friends and family. ありがとうございます is the polite version.
どうもありがとうございます
Emphatic polite thank you; adds どうも for extra politeness or emphasis.
すみません
Can also express gratitude, especially for a favor or service, but primarily means 'excuse me' or 'I'm sorry'.

Etymology

From 有り難う (arigatou, 'difficult to exist', i.e., rare and precious) + ございます (gozaimasu, polite form of ある). The phrase originally expressed that something was rare and therefore appreciated.