【あいさつ３ / a i sa tsu 3 / Greetings to express gratitude】

In Japan, there are many ways to express gratitude. In this article, we will introduce some Japanese ways to express gratitude.

１，Greetings to express gratitude

ありがとう。/ arigatō
Thanks.
→"ありがとう" is mainly used for children and friends.

ありがとうございます。/ arigatō gozaimasu
Thank you so much.
→This greeting can be used in a variety of situations, including everyday life and business situations.

どういたしまして。/ dōitashimashite
It’s my pleasure.
→This is a response to thank you.

いただきます。/ itadakimasu
I’ll enjoy having this.
→This phrase is said before starting a meal. You put your hands together and say "itadakimasu" before you begin eating.
When eating out alone, many people say "itadakimasu" in their minds rather than out loud.

ごちそうさまでした。/ gochisōsamadeshita
Thank you for the meal.
→This is a greeting said when finishing a meal. It is said to express gratitude to the person who cooked or prepared the meal.
When eating out alone, many people say "gochisōsamadeshita" in their minds rather than out loud.

おつかれさまです。/ otsukaresamadesu
Thank you for your hard work.
→"Otsukaresama desu" is a greeting used to greet colleagues or superiors at the end of a day's work.
Outside of work, it can also be used to greet people (including children) who are working hard at their studies or volunteer work.

２，Do you know the meaning of thank you（ありがとう / 有難う）?

"ありがとうございます／ Thank you" is a way of expressing gratitude and appreciation to someone who has done something that rarely happens, that shouldn't have happened, or that is not taken for granted, such as when someone is kind to you or does something for you that you cannot do yourself.

３，The hidden reason behind "Itadakimasu"

"Itadakimasu" has two meanings. The first is gratitude for life. In Japan, it is believed that food ingredients also have life. The phrase "Itadakimasu" is filled with gratitude for the life we ​​are about to receive.
The second is because it is a word that expresses gratitude and thanks to the people who grow ingredients such as rice, vegetables, fish, and meat, and to the people who cook them.

４，[Video] Greetings of gratitude

This video explains how to express gratitude.
Through this video, you will learn how to use and respond to expressions of gratitude.

Expressing gratitude is a very important part of communication.
In Japan, there are various greetings other than those that express gratitude. Here is a related video. Watching it will improve your communication with Japanese people.

５，YAE’s Message

おつかれさまです。／ otsukaresamadesu

Thank you for reading to the end.
You are the one who knows best how hard you've worked.
Try telling yourself, "おつかれさまです／Thank you for your hard work" today.