| Lesson
2 - Expressing Gratitude
As you may or may not know, Japanese are usually
extraordinarily polite. They are also usually very
accommodating and will often go completely out of
their way to make you comfortable, provide you with
assistance and show you Japan as they know it. Therefore
let’s get you prepared for showing your appreciation
and gratitude!!
Let’s
start with the basic words which will take you a
long way in the eyes of a Japanese person:
Arigatou = Thank you (normal)
Arigatou gozaimasu = Thank you
(more polite)
Domo arigatou gozaimasu = Thank
you very much (polite)
Let’s look at these in hiragana, just to
get you familiar:
| ＜日本語＞ |
“あ
りがとう。” |
| <Rom> |
“Arigatou” |
| <Nlit> |
“Thank
you (normal).” |
| ＜日本語＞ |
“あ
りがとうございます。” |
| <Rom> |
“Arigatou
gozaimasu” |
| <Nlit> |
“Thank
you (more polite).” |
| ＜日本語＞ |
“どうもあ
りがとうございます。” |
| <Rom> |
“Doumo arigatou gozaimasu” |
| <Nlit> |
“Thank
you very much (polite).” |
It
really is that easy but let’s step it up a little
to include an expression of gratitude for doing
something. Here are the words you’re going to need:
Sore = that
Totemo = really
Kansha = appreciation
Shimasu = do (in this case to appreciate)
Arigatou gozaimasu = Thank you
Let’s
see it in action
| ＜日本語＞ |
“それをとてもかんしゃします。あ
りがとうございます” |
| <Rom> |
“Sore o totemo kansha shimasu. Arigatou
gozaimasu.” |
| <Nlit> |
“I really appreciate that. Thank you.” |
It’s
a bit of a mouthful but you will warm the hearts
of those that have done you a favor no end.
Good
luck and get ready for the next lesson because we
are hitting the town.
UP
NEXT Lesson 3 - Getting Around
Part 1
|
