ありがとう

あ

り

が

と

う

Common wordJLPTN4Freq.FrequencyTop 200

Meanings

usually written using kana alone

The most common expression of gratitude in Japanese. Used in casual and polite situations; more formal variants include ありがとうございます and ありがとうございました.

Related words· 8

どうもN4
どうも is a casual, often abbreviated way of expressing thanks that can also mean 'hello' or 'very' depending on context, while ありがとう is the standard everyday word for thank you.
サンキューN1
ありがとう is the standard, neutral-to-polite way to say thanks, while サンキュー is a casual English loanword used mainly among friends.
メルシー
ありがとう is the standard, neutral Japanese way to say thank you, while メルシー is a French-derived casual variant used for a stylish or playful effect.
すみませんN4
ありがとう is a plain expression of thanks, while すみません adds a nuance of apology for the trouble caused when thanking someone.

Show 4 more

どうもありがとう
ありがとう is the plain 'thank you', while どうも有難う adds どうも for a more emphatic 'thank you very much'.
ありがと
ありがとう is the standard, polite form of thanks, while ありがと is a casual shortening used with close friends or family.
だんだんN5
ありがとう is the standard Japanese word for 'thank you', while だんだん is a regional (Izumo dialect) equivalent with the same meaning.
ありがとうございました
ありがとう is the casual, everyday form used with friends or family, while 有難うございました is the formal past-tense version used in polite or business contexts.

Politeness

サンクス
ありがとう is the standard, neutral way to say thanks in Japanese, while サンクス is a casual English-derived loanword used only in informal, playful contexts.
ありがとうございますN5
ありがとうございます is the polite form used with strangers or in formal settings, while ありがとう is the casual form used with friends and family.