Thank-you levels

1. 1

   ありがとう

   arigatō

   Casual 'thanks.' Use with friends, family, or people your age in relaxed settings. Not appropriate for strangers or formal situations.

   Use when thanking a close friend, casual acknowledgment, family

   ありがとう！

   arigatō!

   Thanks!

2. 2

   ありがとうございます

   arigatō gozaimasu

   Polite 'thank you.' The safe default for almost any situation, shops, work, strangers, service staff. This should be your go-to.

   Use when thanking a shopkeeper, coworker, stranger, teacher, anyone in a polite context

   ありがとうございます。

   arigatō gozaimasu.

   Thank you very much.

3. 3

   どうも

   dōmo

   A quick, casual 'hey thanks.' Very informal, used between close friends or as a passing acknowledgment. Often combined: どうも alone, or どうもありがとう for mid-level thanks.

   Use when quick thanks between friends, casual passing acknowledgment, informal settings

   どうも。

   dōmo.

   Hey, thanks.

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