ありがとうございました

Common word

Meanings

expression

thank you (past tense)

polite (teineigo)usually written using kana alone

Polite past-tense expression of gratitude, used after someone has done something for you. More formal than ありがとうございます.

先せん日じつは大たい変へんお世せ話わになり、有難ありがとうございました。
Thank you very much for all your help the other day.
ご来らい場じょういただき、ありがとうございました。
Thank you for coming.

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Kanji

有possess, have, exist
難difficult, impossible, trouble

Related words

ありがとうございますN5
ありがとうございます is the non-past polite form used for present or ongoing gratitude, while 有難うございました is used after the fact for something already done.
ありがとうN4
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.

Written forms

有難ありがとうございました
Kanji spelling; it is a high-priority form.
有あり難がとうございました
Alternate kanji spelling with okurigana 有り難う.

Etymology

From 有難う (ありがとう, 'thank you') + ございました, the polite past form of ござる ('to be'). Literally 'it was difficult to exist', expressing that the favor was rare and precious.