日本の感謝の言葉の使い方

　　　　　　　　　　　How to Express Gratitude in Japanese: Different Levels and Situations

今日の日本語レッスン

日本語の「ありがとう」の使い方、使い分けについて

How to Express Gratitude in Japanese: Different Levels and Situations

In Japanese, there are many different ways to express gratitude, depending on who you are speaking to and the situation.

From casual to highly formal:

* Dōmo どうも— with friends or people younger than you

* Arigatō ありがとう😊— with family and friends

* Dōmo arigatō どうもありがとう— in everyday situations

* Arigatō gozaimasu ありがとうございます— polite; commonly used in daily life and at work

* Hontōni arigatō gozaimasu ほんとうにありがとうございます😃— very polite and heartfelt; often used in professional situations

* Kansha shimasu 感謝します😊— “I appreciate it”; appropriate in professional situations and when speaking to someone senior

* Kansha mōshiagemasu 感謝申し上げます— a more formal way of saying “I express my gratitude”; appropriate in professional settings and when speaking to someone senior

* Kokoro yori kansha mōshiagemasu 心より感謝申し上げます— “I sincerely express my gratitude”; very polite and heartfelt

* Kokoro yori orei mōshiagemasu 心よりお礼申し上げます— “I sincerely offer my thanks”; very polite and often used in professional situations

* Atsuku orei mōshiagemasu 厚くお礼申し上げます— “I would like to express my deepest gratitude”; highly formal, especially in written communication

* Kansha no nen ni taemasen 感謝の念に耐えません😂— “Words cannot express how grateful I am”; not commonly used in everyday conversation, but conveys an extremely deep sense of gratitude

 

However, there is an important point to remember.

In Japanese, using the most formal expression does not necessarily mean that your gratitude will be felt most strongly by the other person.

Sometimes, a simple and sincere “Arigatō gozaimasu” can feel warmer and more genuine than a very formal expression.

The expression I personally use most often is:

“Hontōni arigatō gozaimasu. Kansha mōshiagemasu.”

本当にありがとうございます。感謝申し上げます😊

“Thank you very much. I sincerely appreciate it.”

By expressing my gratitude twice, I feel that this conveys both politeness and heartfelt appreciation.

This is already a very polite and sincere way to express gratitude.

 

So, as a first step, let’s practice saying:

“Hontōni arigatō gozaimasu. Kansha mōshiagemasu.”

本当にありがとうございます。感謝申し上げます。

“Thank you very much. I sincerely appreciate it.”

Once you become comfortable with this expression, you will be able to communicate your gratitude warmly and respectfully in many different situations.

 

感謝の言葉の使い分け

どうも(友人、目下の人)

↓

ありがとう(家族、友人)

↓

どうもありがとう(日常)

↓

ありがとうございます(日常、仕事、丁寧)

↓

本当にありがとうございます(仕事、丁寧)

↓

感謝します(仕事、目上の人)

↓

感謝申し上げます(仕事、目上の人)

↓

心より感謝申し上げます(仕事、目上の人)

↓

心よりお礼申し上げます(仕事、目上の人、かなり丁寧)

↓

厚くお礼申し上げます(仕事、目上の人、書き言葉にも使う、最高に丁寧)

↓

感謝の念に耐えません(あまり使わないけれど、最上級の感謝)

日本語には、相手や場によって、様々な感謝の表現があります。

ただ、丁寧な言葉が、相手に一番感謝の気持ちが伝わるのか、というとそうでもありません。

私が一番よく使うのは、

「本当にありがとうございます。感謝申し上げます」

と2回、感謝の気持ちを伝える表現です。

これだけでも、かなり丁寧で心がこもっている表現だと思います。

まずは

「本当にありがとうございます。感謝申し上げます」

と言えるように、練習してみましょう。

 

 

𠮷本惠子（よしもとけいこ）

日本語教師　

日本語学校、専門学校、大学、大学院で留学生に日本語を教える。

株式会社キャリア・ストラテジー代表取締役