Thank You in Different Languages: Becoming Versed in Multiple Languages

Saying "Thank you" is the go-to way to show you're grateful. We say this phrase daily to many people and in lots of situations. When someone holds the door, we say it. If a friend compliments your outfit, you thank them too. And just like in English, people say thank you in different languages worldwide. 

Being polite is appreciated everywhere. So, show it to everyone who does something nice to you when you are abroad. Want to learn how to say this simple phrase in other tongues? Scroll down!

Common Ways to Say Thank You Different Languages

Most cultures use "thank you" to express gratitude. It's an easy and polite way to show appreciation. Etiquette varies by place. French people prefer greetings with a kiss on the cheek. In the Middle East, small gifts often show appreciation. Learning these customs is the first step to understanding foreign languages.

Thank You in Other Languages: How to Say "Thank You" in Popular Tongues

Learning a new language or traveling? One phrase will always be useful in your pursuits: "Thank you." We've made a compilation of common expressions for showing thankfulness in 11 popular tongues. Each thank you in all languages on this list comes with pronunciation tips and explanations for your convenience.

Spanish

Let's make an escape to the warm and picturesque Hispanic countries. Just like the local blissful weather, the Spanish language has pleasant words for expressing gratitude. "Gracias" [ˈɡɾa.sjas] [GRAH-syas] translates as simple "Thank you." 

You'll nail most conversations with this one-word phrase. If you aim to express more gratitude, there are a few variations. One of them is "muchas gracias." It's common and universal. Meanwhile, "te doy las gracias" [te ðoj las ˈɡɾa.sjas] [teh DOY las GRAH-syas] will help you come across as more formal.

French

In French, the easiest way to say thanks is "merci" [mɛʁ.si] [mehr-see]. Show more gratitude by using "Merci mille fois" [mɛʁ.si mil fwa] [mehr-see meel fwah]. It's equivalent to "a thousand thanks" in English. In businesslike situations, use "Je vous remercie" [ʒə vu ʁə.mɛʁ.si] [zhuh voo ruh-mehr-see] or "Merci beaucoup" [mɛʁ.si bo.ku] [mehr-see boh-koo].

German

German culture suggests saying thank you in different ways. They value formality and seek it in conversations. One of the simplest variants is "Danke" [ˈdaŋ.kə] [DAHN-kuh]. It's used casually. If you need something more formal, try "Dankeschön" [ˈdaŋ.kə.ʃøːn] [DAHN-kuh-shurn] or "Ich danke Ihnen" [ɪç ˈdaŋ.kə ˈiː.nən] [ikh DAHN-kuh EE-nen] instead. They fit better in polite settings, translating as "Thank you very much" and "I thank you" accordingly.

Dutch

The Netherlands is known for being informal, friendly, and welcoming. Thus, thank you in Dutch sayings reflect these vibes. A common casual phrase there is "dankje" [ˈdɑŋk.jə] [DAHNG-yuh]. In businesslike situations, you may want to say something like "Sincere thanks." The Dutch have a similar phrase. It's "hartelijk dank" [ˈɦɑr.tə.lək dɑŋk] [HAR-tuh-luhk DAHNGK].

Arabic

"Shukran" (شكرًا) is one of the most common ways to say thank you in Arabic. The correct pronunciation is [ˈʃʊk.ran] [SHOOK-ran]. You can use it in both formal and casual interactions. Do you feel like the situation calls for more formality? If you're in Emirati Arabic, use "Shakeron Lak" (شَاكِرٌ لك) [ˈʃaː.ki.run læk] [SHAH-kee-roon lak] when interacting with a man. "Shakeraton Lak" [ˈʃaː.ki.ra.tun læk] [SHAH-kee-rah-toon lak] is the correct way to thank a woman.

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Mandarin

Feeling grateful to someone and want to express it in Mandarin? You can do this by saying "xièxiè" [shyay-shyay]. Casual and basic, it is suitable for different daily moments. In the written form, this phrase will look like this: 谢谢. When the environment calls for being extra polite, add "nín" to the previous version. In the end, it'll sound like this "xièxiè nín" [shyay-shyay neen].

Vietnamese

Saying thank you in Vietnamese might get tricky at some point. But we'll make it simple for you! "Cảm ơn" [kaːm˧˩ ʔɜn˧] [gahm uh-n] fits casual conversations. To show more respect and formality, add "Xin" [sin˧] [seen] in the beginning. This word means "to beg" or "to ask for a favor." 

So, what about the tricky part? It's important to get the tones right when speaking Vietnamese. Remember that "Cảm" has a falling, broken tone, while "ơn" is flat.

Hebrew

Getting to know how to say thank you in Hebrew will help you start your learning journey. "Toda" (תודה) [toˈda] [toh-DAH] fits in almost any context. Feeling extra grateful? "Toda raba" (תודה רבה) will help you convey your emotions.

Japanese

Famous as it is, some may already know how to pronounce the Japanese "Arigatou." But in case you don't, here you are: [ah-ree-gah-toh]. Write it like this: "ありがとう." It's casual and straightforward. In Japanese, longer phrases show more politeness and formality. For instance, "doumo arigatou" is suitable for those moments when you want to add more value to your speech.

Italian

Elegant and sweet-sounding, "Grazie" is a common expression of thank you in Italian. It can be heard in most casual encounters in public places and casual interactions. The pronunciation in the beginning syllables is somewhat similar to that in Spanish, [ˈɡrat.t͡sje] [GRAHT-tsyeh]. Add a bit of formality by going with "La ringrazio tanto." This phrase will help you show respect to a stranger or an elder. And here you are with the pronunciation tips: [la riŋˈɡrat.t͡sjo ˈtan.to] [lah reen-GRAHT-tsyo TAHN-toh].

Korean

You already know how to say thank you in multiple languages. And here's one more! For most conversations in Korean, "Gamsahamnida" will be enough. It sounds like this: [gahm-SAH-hahm-nee-dah] The corresponding written form is "감사합니다." If you want to sound more polite, use longer phrases. Go with "정말 고마워요" (daedanhi gamsahamnida) [te-dan-hi gam-sa-ham-ni-da]. In English, it's similar to "Thank you very much."

Promova: Exploring How to Say Thank You in Different Languages

You can master popular languages with Promova, the one-stop solution for eager language learners. Our app has all you need to convey gratitude to foreigners you meet on your vacations, traveling, or business meetings. Our courses walk you through the basics. You'll learn key phrases, with valuable information on when and how to say them. It's easy and quick to pick up with the following features:

• phrases explained in detail;
• real-life usage examples;
• tips to boost your language skills.

Learn how to say thanks in different languages and begin your journey to becoming a real polyglot. Start with Promova now!

Conclusion

That's it! Understanding and responding to foreign people in their native language is an exciting experience. Respond to compliments and help correctly. Show your thankfulness to others. Learning how to say thank you in different languages will help you convey your heartfelt gratitude to everyone who makes nice gestures to you.