Thanks & Apologies
Basic phrases for saying thank you and sorry, with notes on how polite each one is.
- ありがとう arigatō Thank you Neutral / Casual
- ありがとうございます arigatō gozaimasu Thank you (polite) Polite
- ありがとうございました arigatō gozaimashita Thank you (for what you did) Polite
- 申し訳ございません mōshiwake gozaimasen I am very sorry / I sincerely apologize Polite
The level of politeness changes with the person and the situation. When in doubt, the polite form is the safe choice. A phrase marked with two levels, such as “Neutral / Casual,” is used in both kinds of situations.