One Word That Works Everywhere
If you learn a single word before a trip, a video call with in-laws, or a first message to a new colleague abroad, make it “thank you”. It costs a few seconds to learn and it is the phrase people most appreciate hearing in their own language.
Below is the everyday word in ten widely spoken languages, how to pronounce it, the more polite or emphatic version, and the reply you are likely to hear, so you are not caught off guard when someone answers.
Quick Reference: “Thank You” in 10 Languages
- Spanish: Gracias (GRAH-syahs)
- French: Merci (mehr-SEE)
- German: Danke (DAHN-kuh)
- Italian: Grazie (GRAHT-syeh)
- Portuguese: Obrigado / Obrigada (oh-bree-GAH-doo / oh-bree-GAH-dah)
- Japanese: ありがとう (ah-ree-GAH-toh (arigatō))
- Korean: 감사합니다 (gahm-sah-HAHM-nee-dah (gamsahamnida))
- Mandarin Chinese: 谢谢 (shyeh-shyeh (xièxie))
- Arabic: شكراً (SHOOK-rahn (shukran))
- Hindi: धन्यवाद (dhun-yuh-VAHD (dhanyavād))
Pronunciations are rough English approximations to get you started. Listen to a native speaker when you can, because sounds such as the French r, Mandarin tones and Arabic consonants do not map neatly onto English spelling.
Language by Language: What to Say and When
Spanish: Gracias
How to say it: GRAH-syahs. To add emphasis: Muchas gracias (MOO-chahs GRAH-syahs) for “thank you very much”.
The usual reply: De nada.
Used everywhere from shops to dinner tables. In Spain and Latin America alike, thanking the bus driver or shopkeeper on the way out is normal.
French: Merci
How to say it: mehr-SEE. To add emphasis: Merci beaucoup (mehr-SEE boh-KOO) for “thank you very much”.
The usual reply: De rien, or the more polite Je vous en prie.
Pair it with bonjour. In France a greeting on entering and a merci, au revoir on leaving are expected in every shop and café.
German: Danke
How to say it: DAHN-kuh. To add emphasis: Vielen Dank (FEE-len DAHNK) or Danke schön (DAHN-kuh shurn) for extra warmth.
The usual reply: Bitte, or Gern geschehen.
Bitte means both “please” and “you are welcome”, so a short exchange of danke and bitte is something you will hear constantly.
Italian: Grazie
How to say it: GRAHT-syeh. To add emphasis: Grazie mille (GRAHT-syeh MEEL-leh), literally “a thousand thanks”.
The usual reply: Prego.
Pronounce the final e: it is three syllables, not “grah-tsee”. Prego is also what staff say when they are ready to serve you.
Portuguese: Obrigado / Obrigada
How to say it: oh-bree-GAH-doo / oh-bree-GAH-dah. To add emphasis: Muito obrigado or muito obrigada for “thank you very much”.
The usual reply: De nada.
The ending depends on the speaker, not the listener: men say obrigado and women say obrigada, in both Portugal and Brazil.
Japanese: ありがとう
How to say it: ah-ree-GAH-toh (arigatō). To add emphasis: ありがとうございます, arigatō gozaimasu (goh-zye-MAHSS), is the polite form to use with strangers, staff and anyone older.
The usual reply: いいえ (iie), a modest “not at all”.
Plain arigatō is for friends and family. With anyone else use the longer form, usually with a small nod or bow.
Korean: 감사합니다
How to say it: gahm-sah-HAHM-nee-dah (gamsahamnida). To add emphasis: 고마워요 (gomawoyo) is a little softer, and 고마워 (gomawo) is for close friends only.
The usual reply: 아니에요 (anieyo), “it is nothing”.
Gamsahamnida is the safe choice in shops, restaurants and with anyone you do not know well. A slight bow of the head goes with it.
Mandarin Chinese: 谢谢
How to say it: shyeh-shyeh (xièxie). To add emphasis: 非常感谢 (fēicháng gǎnxiè) for “thank you very much”.
The usual reply: 不客气 (bú kèqi), “do not be so polite”.
Among close friends and family, saying thank you for small things can sound distant; it is used more freely with strangers and in service situations.
Arabic: شكراً
How to say it: SHOOK-rahn (shukran). To add emphasis: شكراً جزيلاً (shukran jazīlan) for “thank you very much”.
The usual reply: عفواً (ʿafwan).
Shukran is understood across the Arabic-speaking world, from Morocco to the Gulf, even though everyday dialects differ a great deal.
Hindi: धन्यवाद
How to say it: dhun-yuh-VAHD (dhanyavād). To add emphasis: शुक्रिया (shukriyā) is also widely used and a little less formal.
The usual reply: कोई बात नहीं (koī bāt nahī̃), “it is nothing”.
Dhanyavād is fairly formal. In everyday life in India you will also hear the English “thank you” mixed into Hindi conversation.
Three Things That Differ Between Cultures
- Formality levels. Japanese and Korean have distinct casual and polite forms, and using the casual one with a stranger or an elder sounds careless. When unsure, use the longer, polite form.
- Who says it changes the word. In Portuguese the ending follows the speaker: obrigado for a man, obrigada for a woman.
- How often it is said. In English-speaking countries people thank each other constantly. In Mandarin and Hindi, thanking close family for small things can feel overly formal; warmth is shown in other ways.
Practice and Share
The Language Helper has these and other everyday phrases for all ten languages, with a search box. Tap any phrase to copy it, or save it as an image card to send to a friend who is learning.