LLearn Japanese

ありがとうございます vs ありがとうございました

Does anyone know the difference and when/why you would use one, specifically the past form

Edit: thank you for reminding me I can use Google! I had meant to add a specific situation

6 comments

  2. They are used interchangeably, but ~ました is more formal, slightly more intense, and rare. I still use it every day knowing that as my own little rebellion against the masses.

    However, 95% of customer facing employees just use ~ます and customers themselves go all the way down to just saying ども sometimes (very cool people do this).

  3. Not to be rude but checking Google would have given you the answer to this in 2 seconds. You’d see it’s been discussed in depth in many places.

  4. Both “ありがとうございます” and “ありがとうございました” are expressions of gratitude in Japanese, but they are used in different contexts.
    ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu):
    This phrase is used to express gratitude in the present or future. It is a polite way to say “thank you.” You use this when you are currently receiving help, a favor, or a gift, or when you want to express thanks for something that will happen in the future.
    Example:
    If someone gives you a gift, you would say, “ありがとうございます” (Thank you).
    ありがとうございました (Arigatou gozaimashita):
    This phrase is used to express gratitude for something that has already happened in the past. It is a polite way of saying “thank you” for a completed action or a past event.
    Example:
    After a meeting or an event has concluded, you might say, “ありがとうございました” (Thank you for what you did).
    In summary, “ありがとうございます” is used for expressing gratitude in the present or future, while “ありがとうございました” is used for expressing gratitude for something that has already occurred in the past.

  5. I forgot to add, I had encountered a situation where I was working in retail and had the chance to say something to a family speaking Japanese and I thanked them for coming in, using ありがとうございます。 would this be a proper use of the phrase or should I have used ございました

Leave a Reply
— Previous article

Very good chirashi
Next article —

Salmon

You May Also Like