Abstract

The basic expression of gratitude is arigatoo ‘thanks.’ This phrase alone can be used to one’s social subordinates and equals, such as one’s friends and family members, and to any children. When speaking to one’s social superiors, such as one’s boss at work and older people and to any adults one does not know well, the formal phrase gozaimasu is added to thank them for their kind acts. The past tense form arigatoo gozaimashita is used to express thanks for a kind act that the addressee performed in the past. The addition of the adverb doomo ‘indeed, for some reason’ to arigatoo phrases make them sound more heartfelt. In casual situations, one may just say (with a bow) doomo to express one’s appreciation.