KidsGen / Wishes in Many Languages / Thank You

Thank you in many languages

Gratitude might be the most universal feeling of all β€” nearly every language has a dedicated word for it, and most people light up hearing it in their own tongue. From "Merci" to "Arigatou gozaimasu" to "Asante", here's how to say thank you in more than 30 languages.

Say it now: Danke β€” thank you, in German
Thank You in Many Languages – Thank You Messages and Greetings from Around the World
Small word, big meaning

Why "thank you" is worth learning first

Manners travel further than most words β€” even if you can't hold a full conversation in another language, a well-placed thank you tells someone you noticed their kindness. Teachers, grandparents, waiters, coaches: it's the one phrase that fits almost any relationship, in almost any country, at almost any moment.

Try it yourself

Thank you, around the world

Search for a language below, or scroll by region. Tap "Copy" on any card to paste the phrase straight into a message.

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Europe

French
Merci
mehr-SEE
German
Danke
DAHN-keh
Italian
Grazie
GRAH-tsee-eh
Spanish
Gracias
GRAH-see-as
Portuguese
Obrigado / Obrigada
oh-bree-GAH-doh / dah
Dutch
Dank je wel
dahnk yuh vel
Swedish
Tack
tahk
Norwegian
Takk
tahk
Danish
Tak
tak
Polish
DziΔ™kujΔ™
jen-KOO-yeh
Czech
DΔ›kuji
DYEH-koo-yee
Greek
EfcharistΓ³
ef-hah-ree-STOH
Russian
Spasibo
spah-SEE-boh
Irish
Go raibh maith agat
guh rev mah AH-gut
Welsh
Diolch
DEE-olkh

Asia & the Pacific

Japanese
Arigatou gozaimasu
ah-ree-gah-toh go-zai-mas
Korean
Gamsahamnida
gahm-sah-HAHM-nee-dah
Mandarin Chinese
Xièxiè
shyeh-shyeh
Hindi
Dhanyavaad / Shukriya
dhun-yah-VAHD / shook-REE-yah
Bengali
Dhonnobad
DOH-noh-baad
Thai
Khob khun
khop-KOON
Vietnamese
CαΊ£m Ζ‘n
gam un
Indonesian
Terima kasih
teh-REE-mah KAH-see
Filipino
Salamat
sah-LAH-mat
Hawaiian
Mahalo
mah-HAH-loh
Māori
Ngā mihi
nga MEE-hee

Middle East & Africa

Arabic
Shukran
SHOOK-ran
Hebrew
Todah
toh-DAH
Turkish
Teşekkür ederim
teh-shek-KEWR eh-deh-rim
Swahili
Asante
ah-SAHN-teh
Zulu
Ngiyabonga
ngee-yah-BOHN-gah
Amharic
Ameseginalehu
ah-meh-seh-gee-nah-LEH-hoo

Fun facts about saying thank you

  • In Japanese, "Arigatou" originally comes from an old phrase meaning "it is difficult to exist" β€” the idea being that a kind act was rare and hard-won, so it deserved real appreciation.
  • Swahili's "Asante" is often doubled to "Asante sana" for extra emphasis β€” much like saying "thank you so much" in English.
  • Hawaiian's "Mahalo" is used far beyond simple thanks β€” you'll see it on recycling bins and "thank you for driving safely" road signs across the islands.

Frequently Asked Questions About Thank You in Many Languages

How do you say Thank You in different languages?

Thank You is expressed differently around the world. For example, Merci is French, Gracias is Spanish, Danke is German, Arigato is Japanese, and Shukriya is commonly used in Hindi and Urdu.

How do you say Thank You in French?

Merci is the common French expression for Thank You. Merci beaucoup means Thank You very much.

How do you say Thank You in Spanish?

Gracias is the Spanish word for Thank You. Muchas gracias means Thank You very much.

How do you say Thank You in Japanese?

Arigato is a common Japanese expression for Thank You. Arigato gozaimasu is a more polite form.

How do you say Thank You in Hindi?

Dhanyavaad is a common Hindi expression for Thank You. Shukriya is also widely used to express gratitude.

Why learn to say Thank You in other languages?

Learning to say Thank You in other languages helps you express gratitude, show respect for different cultures, and communicate warmly with people from around the world.