To figure out how to say thank you in Japanese, you need to know how polite your expression of gratitude needs to be.Some phrases are casual, while others are more formal.When used in certain situations, there are a few phrases that express gratefulness.Here is an explanation of the expressions of gratitude in Japanese.
Step 1: Say "Domo arigatou."
This is a standard way to say thank you.Don't use this expression with someone who is in a position of authority, but use it with friends and co-workers.Don't use it in formal situations.Pronounce domo as doh-moh.Write in its non-romanized form.
Step 2: It should be shortened to "arigatou.
Arigatou is a way of thanking someone.This phrase can be used with friends and family.Someone with a higher status should be treated with more respect.As ah-ree-gah-toh, pronounce arigatou.Write arigatou as in its non-romanized form.
Step 3: Drop it to "domo".
Domo is more laid back than arigatou.Domo is understood to mean "thank you" depending on the context of the conversation.This can't be used in polite contexts.You should use a more formal phrase if you need to be polite.As dough-moh, pronounce domo.Write in its non-romanized form.
Step 4: State is "arigatou gozaimasu".
"Thank you very much" is what this phrase means.You can use arigatou gozaimasu with people who have a higher status than you, including supervisors, family elders, teachers, and strangers who appear older or higher in rank.This phrase can be used to express gratitude to someone close to you.Pronounce arigatou gozaimasu as ah-ree-gah-toh.Write in its non-romanized form.
Step 5: Go to "domo arigatou gozaimasu".
This is a more polite way of thanking you.This phrase can be used with people who have a higher status.You can use the phrase with someone you know.Pronounce the phrase as dough-moh ah-ree-gah-toh.Write domo arigatou gozaimasu as in its non-romanized form.
Step 6: The past tense is "arigatou gozaimashita."
Changing the -u ending of gozaimasu to -ita will make the phrase past tense.Say the phrase as ah-ree-gah-toh.
Step 7: After a meal, use the word "gochisou"
If a host serves you dinner or if someone treats you to a meal, you should say thank you at the end of the meal.You would say "itadakimasu" at the beginning of the meal.Say the phrase goh-chee-sou sah-mah deh-shee-tah.
Step 8: Say "o-tsukaresama deshita" at the end of a day of work.
It basically means thank you for your hard work.The implication is that the person listening has worked hard.The phrase shows gratitude for the person's hard work.Say it as oh-tsoo-kah-reh-sah-mah desu.
Step 9: In Osaka, say ookini.
This isn't standard Japanese.This form of saying "Thank you" is only found in areas near Osaka."Thank you" is what ookini means.It can be used at the end of a sentence to smooth relations or on its own to show appreciation.The term ookini arigatou was originally used to indicate quantity.The phrase was shortened over time.Say ookini as oh-kee-nee.Write it out as.
Step 10: "Do it mashashiite"
This phrase is used in response to thanks in both casual and polite contexts.It has the same meaning as "you're welcome."Say doh ee-tah-shee mah-she-teh.You can say "iie" instead of "dough itashimashite" in non-romanized form.You are telling the person who helped you that it was nothing.