thank you

"Arigatou" is the most fundamental way to express gratitude in Japanese. It originates from the phrase "arigatashi," meaning "difficult to exist" or "rare," implying that the favor you received is so precious that it is rare and worthy of deep appreciation. In casual settings, it is used among friends, family, and peers. Because it is informal, you should avoid using it with superiors or in professional settings, where more polite versions like "arigatou gozaimasu" are required to show proper respect.

In conversation