Dictionary Answer
What Does "arigato" Mean in Japanese?
"Arigato" means "thank you"; "arigatou gozaimasu" is the more polite everyday form in many situations.
Core Meanings
- thank you
- thanks
Examples
手伝ってくれて、ありがとう。
Thanks for helping me.
本当にありがとうございます。
Thank you very much.
Common Mistakes
- Using casual "arigato" in clearly formal situations.
- Skipping polite variants in customer/service contexts.
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FAQ
Is arigato polite enough?
Use arigato gozaimasu for more polite situations.
What is very polite?
Arigato gozaimasu is the common polite form.
Can I use arigato with strangers?
Yes, but the polite form is usually better.
Related Questions
What does "arigato" mean in Japanese?
arigato commonly means thank you in Japanese, with meaning changing by context.
How do you pronounce "arigato" in Japanese?
A simple pronunciation guide is: ah-ree-GAH-toh.
How do natives use "arigato" in a real sentence?
Example: "手伝ってくれて、ありがとう。" (Thanks for helping me.)
What is the difference between "arigato" and "sumimasen"?
arigato and sumimasen overlap in polite conversation, but they serve different roles depending on situation.
Open related pageHow can I practice "arigato" quickly?
Run a short mini-quiz first, then move missed items into a replay loop in StudyArcade.
Open related pageWhat should I learn after "arigato"?
Use the linked basics hub to follow a structured path from core meanings to quiz practice.
Open related page