Get to know Japanese people better with these phrases! 5 phrases you can use to express your gratitude!

This time, I would like to introduce some phrases you can use to express your gratitude to the Japanese people.
When expressing your appreciation in Japan, the phrases you use will differ depending on the situation and person you are communicating with.
By using these phrases, you could surprise Japanese people and get to know them better.
So, let’s get started!

1 – ありがとうございます

This is the most common and well-known phrase. You can use it to thank a superior or someone you have just met for the first time.

例文
Example sentence

(When ordering and receiving coffee at a cafe)

店員(てんいん)：おまたせしました。コーヒーです。どうぞ。
Waiter: Thank you for waiting. Here is your coffee. Here you go.

アキ：ありがとうございます。
Aki: Thank you very much.

2 – はげみになります

You can use this phrase when someone praises you or gives you a compliment, and you feel motivated by it or want to keep up the good work.

例文
Example sentence

あいて：あなたは日本語(にほんご)をはなすのが上手(じょうず)ですね。きっとたくさん勉(べんきょう)しているんですね。すばらしいです。
The other person: You are very good at speaking Japanese. You must have studied a lot. It’s wonderful.

アキ：ありがとうございます。そういっていただけるとはげみになります。
Aki: Thank you very much. It is very encouraging to hear such a comment.

3 – ありがとう

It has the same meaning as “ありがとうございます,” but it is a more frank way of saying it. You can use it when a friend or family member does something for you. It is a phrase that you can use in a variety of situations.

例文
Example sentence

(When having lunch at a restaurant)

ともだち：アキ、水(みず)をもってきたよ！
Friend: Aki, I brought you some water!

アキ：ありがとう！
Aki: Thank you!

4 – 最高！(さいこう！)

You can use it to express your gratitude with a pleasant feeling. It should be used mainly among friends and close colleagues.

例文
Example sentence

ともだち：アキ、今週(こんしゅう)の日曜日(にちようび)、予定(よてい)あいているよね？ まえにアキが行(い)きたいっていってた人気(にんき)の遊園地(ゆうえんち)のチケット、ぐうぜんだけどゲットできたよ！
Friend: Aki, you must be free this Sunday, right? I just happened to get the tickets to the popular amusement park you wanted to go to!

アキ：え、ほんとう？！ さいこう！
Aki: Oh, really? That’s great!

5 – あいしてる

This phrase is commonly used among young people in their teens and early twenties. It is used to express gratitude as well as goodwill. If you say it jokingly to a young person you have become friends with, they may be surprised and become even closer.

例文
Example sentences

アキ：ペンをかしてくれない
Aki: Can I borrow a pen?

わかいともだち：いいよ。はい。
Young friend: Sure. Yes, I have a pen.

アキ：あいしてる！
Aki: I love you!

What did you think of these 5 phrases?

Please try to use them a lot!

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