How to Say “Thank You” in Different Languages

Learning how to say “thank you” in different languages is an easy way to connect with others from different backgrounds – particularly while traveling or within a diverse community.

Gratitude matters in every culture, but how – or whether – to say “thank you” in a foreign language can reflect social obligation, family values, or even religious traditions. For instance, in Portuguese, the gendered obrigado/obrigada literally means “I am obliged,” implying a duty to reciprocate. In Russian, Спасибо (Spasibo) expresses thanks as “God save you.”

But expressing gratitude does more than acknowledge kindness. Let’s explore not only ways to say “thank you” in multiple languages but also the secret power it holds.

Why Learning “Thank You” in Multiple Languages Matters

Did you know that saying “thank you” is a relatively recent development? Historians think the first recorded thanks between people occurred in the 12th century. Yet it wasn’t until the more personal and competitive height of the commercial revolution in the 1500s that independent merchants started to routinely thank their customers for their business. In time, expressing appreciation outgrew the confines of business transactions to become an essential gesture between any two people.

Today, saying “thank you” in different languages demonstrates respect for others and their cultures, facilitating smoother communication and more positive interactions.

But “thank you” is more than just one of the most useful phrases in other languages — it has the power to demonstrate and inspire kindness in others! Recent research finds that expressing gratitude benefits not only our own health and happiness but also influences those who witness it. Saying thanks acknowledges the good that people do and can inspire others to do even more good. So, learning and saying “thank you” in different languages is a small but significant way anyone can make the world a little bit better.

So, thank you for taking the time to learn how to say “thank you” in multiple languages. Or, as they say thanks in Irish: “Go raibh maith agat” – may you have goodness!

Now, let’s see how to say “thank you” in foreign languages.

Common Ways to Say “Thank You” in Foreign Languages

Saying “thank you” in different languages does more than show good manners – it opens doors to deeper connections with people from various backgrounds and inspires others to do good. Let’s start with some examples from the world’s most spoken languages; you might find one you can start using right away!

Spanish: Gracias

Gracias. – Thank you. (polite and used universally)
¡Muchas gracias! – Many thanks! (both polite and casual)
Mil gracias. – Thanks a thousand times! (casual, friendly)
Le agradezco. – I appreciate it. (more formal)

Cultural tip: In Spain and Latin America, the usual response to thanks is de nada (it’s nothing). In many parts of Latin America, you may also hear con gusto (with pleasure), a la orden (at your service), or no hay de qué (don’t mention it).

Mandarin Chinese: 谢谢 (Xièxiè)

谢谢 (Xièxiè)。 – Thank you. (polite and used universally)
多谢 (Duōxiè)。 – Thanks a lot. (used most often in writing and in somewhat formal social contexts)
谢谢你 (Xièxiè nǐ)。 – Thank you to you. (personal, a bit warmer than just “谢谢 xièxiè”)
太谢谢了 (Tài xièxiè le)！ – Thanks so much! (casual)
非常感谢 (Fēicháng gǎnxiè)。 – I am extremely grateful. (formal)

Cultural tip: In Chinese culture, people often say 谢谢 (Xièxiè) to strangers, coworkers, or in formal settings. However, among close family and friends, gratitude is more commonly expressed through actions rather than words, since saying “thank you” too often can feel distant.

Hindi: धन्यवाद (Dhanyavaad)

धन्यवाद (Dhanyavaad)। – Thank you. (formal)
शुक्रिया (Shukriyaa)। – Thank you. (casual)
बहुत धन्यवाद (Bahut dhanyavaad)! – Many thanks! (formal and emphatic)
बहुत शुक्रिया (Bahut shukriyaa)। – Thanks a lot. (casual, very common in speech)

Cultural Tip: In India, people don’t usually say “thank you” to close friends or family, since care and generosity are seen as natural and expected. Expressing thanks in those situations can sometimes feel distant. However, saying धन्यवाद (Dhanyavaad) or शुक्रिया (Shukriyaa) to strangers, acquaintances, or in formal interactions is appreciated and considered polite.

French: Merci

Merci. – Thank you. (used universally)
Merci beaucoup ! – Thanks a lot! (polite and casual)
Je vous remercie. – I thank you. (formal)
Cimer ! – Thanks! (slang from Verlan; used amongst friends and in text messages)

Cultural Tip: In France, responding with De rien (It’s nothing) is common, but Je vous en prie (You’re welcome) is more polite in formal settings. You also might hear these responses to saying “thank you” in French: avec plaisir (with pleasure) or Il n’y a pas de quoi (don’t mention it).

Arabic (Modern Standard): شكراً (Shukran)

شكراً (Shukran). – Thank you. (used universally)
شكراً جزيلاً (Shukran jazeelan). – Thank you very much. (formal)
أشكرك (Ashkuruk). – I thank you. (personal and formal)

Cultural tip: In Arabic-speaking cultures, it’s common to respond to “thank you” with لا شكر على واجب (La shukr ala wajib), meaning “No thanks needed for a duty.”

Portuguese (Brazilian): Obrigado/Obrigada

Obrigada / Obrigada. – Thank you. (used universally; -a if the speaker is female, -o if male)
Muito obrigado/a. – Thank you very much. (used universally; same gender rule as above)
Valeu. – Thanks. (casual, slang; non-gendered, common in Brazil among friends)

Cultural tip: Sometimes, as in Portuguese, saying “thank you” in another language changes with the speaker’s gender. In Brazil, “valeu” is a non-gendered, laid-back way to say “thanks” among friends.

Russian: Спасибо (Spasibo)

Спасибо (Spasibo). – Thank you. (used universally)
Большое спасибо (Bol’shoye spasibo). – Thank you very much. (used universally, but adds emphasis)
Благодарю вас (Blagodaryu vas). – I offer you thanks. (formal)

Cultural tip: In Russian, спасибо (spasibo) is the everyday, universal way to say “thank you.” Благодарю (blagodaryu) is more formal and can sound old-fashioned in casual conversation, but you’ll still find it in formal writing, speeches, or polite exchanges.

Urdu: شکریہ (Shukriya)

شکریہ (Shukriya) – Thank you. (used universally)
بہت شکریہ (Bahut shukriya) – Thank you very much. (polite, used widely in speech and writing)
جزاک اللہ (Jazak Allah) – May God reward you. (formal, religious)

Cultural tip: In Urdu-speaking cultures, جزاک اللہ (Jazak Allah) is often used to demonstrate deep gratitude. It’s especially common in Muslim communities and carries a prayerful meaning, going beyond simple thanks.

Japanese: ありがとう(Arigato)

ありがとう (Arigato)。 – Thank you. (casual)
どうもありがとう (Domo arigatou)。 – Thank you very much. (polite, casual)
ありがとうございます (Arigato gozaimasu)。 – Thank you. (polite, formal)
どうもありがとうございます (domo arigato gozaimasu)。Thank you very much. (very polite, formal)

Cultural tip: In Japanese, politeness levels matter. A simple ありがとう (arigato) is fine in casual situations with friends. But in more formal contexts, it’s important to use ありがとうございます (arigato gozaimasu) and どうもありがとうございます (domo arigato gozaimasu) to show respect.

Italian: Grazie

Grazie – Thank you. (used universally)
Grazie mille – A thousand thanks. (polite, casual)
Molte grazie – Many thanks. (formal)

Cultural tip: Grazie is the most common way to say “thank you” in Italian, but it is for small, everyday interactions. Doubling it, (grazie, grazie!), adds emphasis for when someone has really done you a great favor.

Unique and Formal Ways to Express Gratitude Globally

Saying “thank you” in different languages often carries deeper meaning. In Farsi, دست شما درد نکنه (Daste shoma dard nakone) means “May your hand not hurt,” showing appreciation for the effort. Urdu’s جزاک اللہ (Jazak Allah) wishes divine rewards, while in Indonesian, Terima kasih translates literally as “I have received love.” In Thai, ขอบคุณมาก ๆ (Khob khun mak mak) means “Thank you very, very much,” but a more traditional phrase, ขอบใจ (Khob jai), translates as “Thank you from the heart.”

Expressing gratitude spreads goodwill, fostering stronger connections. A heartfelt “thank you” in any language encourages generosity and kindness in ways we may never see.

Mastering “Thank You” in Multiple Languages

Learning to say “thank you” in different languages connects you with people from other cultures and can even inspire them to be kinder to others. If you want to go beyond basic phrases like saying “thank you” or “hello” in other languages, consider the Pimsleur method — the best way to learn languages. Choose from 50 languages, and soon, you’ll be speaking like a native!
תודה על הקריאה (Toda al hakri’ah) –That’s Hebrew for “Thank you for reading!”