How to Say Thank You in 50 Different Languages

Expressing gratitude is one of the most universal human experiences. Whether you’re travelling abroad, conducting international business, or simply connecting with people from diverse cultures, knowing how to say thank you in different languages can open doors and build meaningful relationships. This comprehensive guide explores thank you in 50 languages, offering practical insights into pronunciation, cultural context, and proper etiquette.

Why Learning “Thank You” Matters in Global Communication

Learning ways to say thank you in different languages goes far beyond simple politeness. When you make the effort to express gratitude in someone’s native language, you demonstrate respect for their cultural identity and show genuine interest in connecting with them on their terms.

In today’s interconnected world, businesses expanding into international markets must understand these linguistic and cultural nuances. As highlighted in Elite Asia’s guide to cross-cultural interaction, effective communication across cultures requires more than just translating words; it demands cultural sensitivity and awareness.​

Research shows that gratitude expression occurs at only 5.5% frequency across eight languages in everyday informal interaction, suggesting that social reciprocity often relies on unspoken understandings rather than explicit verbal expression. This low frequency highlights why understanding both when and how to say thank you is crucial for authentic cultural exchange.

How to Say Thank You in 50 Different Languages

European Languages

1. Spanish: Gracias

Pronunciation: GRAH-see-ahs

The Spanish word for thank you, “gracias,” works in most situations. To show extra appreciation, you can say “muchas gracias” (many thanks) or “muchísimas gracias” for formal occasions. In Spain, you might hear “gracias, tío” (thanks, dude) amongst friends, whilst in Argentina, “che, gracias” is common in casual contexts.

Cultural note: Spanish speakers often accompany “gracias” with warm physical gestures, a hand on the arm, a kiss on the cheek, or a warm smile.​

2. French: Merci

Pronunciation: mehr-see

“Merci” is the basic French thank you and works in most contexts. For added emphasis, use “merci beaucoup” (thanks a lot). French culture values formality, so “je vous remercie” (I thank you) is appropriate for formal situations. Interestingly, “merci bien” often carries a sarcastic tone, similar to English’s “thanks a lot” when used ironically.

If you’re expanding your business into French-speaking markets, Elite Asia’s website localisation services can help ensure your communications resonate authentically with local audiences.​

3. German: Danke

Pronunciation: DAHN-keh

German culture values formality and punctuality, making appropriate expressions of gratitude essential. “Danke” is a simple thank-you for casual situations, whilst “dankeschön” or “vielen Dank” (many thanks) suit more formal contexts. In Catholic communities in Austria and Southern Germany, you might hear “Vergelt’s Gott” (may God reward you), though this doesn’t always go over well in non-religious circles.

4. Italian: Grazie

Pronunciation: GRAHT-zee

In Italian, “grazie” handles everyday situations beautifully. For formal contexts, try “la ringrazio tanto” (I thank you very much). When you’re really grateful, “grazie mille” (thanks a thousand) expresses deep appreciation. Italian is the most animated of the Romance languages, so deliver your thanks with enthusiasm and sincerity.

Warning: “Grazie tante” can sound sarcastic, so avoid it unless you’re intentionally being ironic.​

5. Portuguese: Obrigado/Obrigada

Pronunciation: oh-bree-GAH-doh/oh-bree-GAH-dah

Portuguese has a unique feature: the word for ‘thank you’ changes depending on the speaker’s gender, not the recipient’s. Men say “obrigado,” whilst women say “obrigada”. For very informal situations, Brazilians often use “valeu” (valued). More formal expressions include “grato/a” (I’m grateful) and “agradecido/a” (I’m thankful).

Understanding these linguistic nuances becomes crucial when expanding into international markets.​

6. Russian: Спасибо (Spasibo)

Pronunciation: spah-SEE-buh

“Спасибо” (spasibo) works most of the time in Russian. For close friends, “спасибки” (spasibki) serves as a casual “cheers.” To convey different levels of gratitude, Russians use “большое спасибо” (bolshoe spasibo, a big thank you) or “огромное спасибо” (ogromnoye spasibo, a massive thank you). The most poetic expression is “спасибо от всего сердца и души” (spasibo ot vsego serdtsa i dushi), meaning “thank you from the bottom of my soul”.

7. Polish: Dziękuję

Pronunciation: djen-KOO-yen

Polish expressions of gratitude are straightforward. “Dziękuję” means thank you, whilst “dzięki” offers a casual “thanks.” For emphasis, use “bardzo dziękuję” or “dziękuję bardzo” (thank you very much).

8. Dutch: Dank je

Pronunciation: DAHNK yeh

Dutch culture is quite informal, so you’ll often hear variations like “dankje,” “bedankt,” and “dankjewel.” For formal business situations, use “hartelijk dank” (hearty thanks) or “dank u zeer” (thank you very much).

9. Swedish: Tack

Pronunciation: tack

Swedish is logical and minimalist. “Tack” covers most situations, whilst “tack så mycket” (thank you very much) and “tusen tack” (a thousand thanks) add emphasis. Swedes even avoid the “no problem/you’re welcome” debate with “tack, tack” or “thanks for your thanks”.

10. Norwegian: Takk

Pronunciation: tack

In Norwegian, saying thank you is even easier than in English; say “takk.” Make sure to pronounce the ‘a’ short and the ‘k’ long. Norwegians use specific thank-you phrases for certain situations: “takk for sist” (thanks for the last time we met), “takk for maten” (thanks for the food), and “tusen takk” (a thousand thanks).​

11. Danish: Tak

Pronunciation: tack

Danes say “tak” to express thanks, pronounced similarly to Swedish and Norwegian. For added politeness, use “mange tak” (many thanks).​​

12. Greek: Ευχαριστώ (Efcharistó)

Pronunciation: eff-hhar-riss-TOH

Greek culture is renowned for hospitality and good spirits. “Ευχαριστώ” (efcharistó) works in most situations. For formal contexts or when thanking multiple people, add “σας” (sas) to make “σας ευχαριστώ” (sas efcharistó). Greeks also use a non-verbal gesture, patting their chest with one hand, to convey thanks.

13. Romanian: Mulțumesc

Pronunciation: mool-tzoo-MESK

“Mulțumesc” is the standard Romanian thank you. For more casual situations, try “îți mulțumesc”.

14. Czech: Děkuji

Pronunciation: DYEH-koo-yee

Czech has both formal and informal versions. “Děkuji” (formal) or “děkuju” (informal) work well, and you can even shorten both to “díky” for casual speech.​

15. Hungarian: Köszönöm

Pronunciation: KUH-suh-nem

Hungarian, a unique Finno-Ugric language, uses “köszönöm” for thank you.

For businesses operating across multiple European markets, Elite Asia’s multilingual technology solutions ensure your communications maintain cultural authenticity whilst scaling globally.​

Asian Languages

16. Mandarin Chinese: 谢谢 (Xièxie)

Pronunciation: shyeh-shyeh

Chinese culture values gratitude, honour, and formality. “谢谢” (xièxie) is the default thank you. For casual options, try “谢了” (xièle) or “多谢” (duōxiè). To emphasise gratitude, say “非常谢谢” (fēicháng xièxie) or “太谢谢你了” (tài xièxie nǐ le).

Important: Chinese culture values actions over words, so returning favours is equally essential as verbal thanks.​

Understanding the differences between Chinese and other Asian languages is crucial for business. Elite Asia’s comparison of Chinese and Japanese markets offers valuable insights for companies navigating East Asian markets.​

17. Japanese: ありがとう (Arigatou)

Pronunciation: ah-ree-GAH-toh

Japanese expressions of gratitude are full of nuance. “ありがとう” (arigatou) works with friends and family, but “ありがとうございます” (arigatou gozaimasu) is the standard polite form suitable for most situations. For very formal occasions, use “どうもありがとうございます” (doumo arigatou gozaimasu).

Cultural insight: In some situations, Japanese people say “excuse me” or “I’m sorry” instead of thank you to express feelings of being a burden. Bowing is a common non-verbal way to show gratitude, with deeper bows indicating greater respect.

18. Korean: 감사합니다 (Gamsahamnida)

Pronunciation: gahm-sa-hahm-nee-da

Korean culture emphasises politeness and social etiquette. “감사합니다” (gamsahamnida) is the most common and versatile way to say thank you. “고맙습니다” (gomapseumnida) is also common but implies more familiarity. For informal situations with friends, “고마워” (gomawo) works well.

19. Hindi: धन्यवाद (Dhanyavaad)

Pronunciation: dhahn-ya-VAHD

“धन्यवाद” (dhanyavaad) works in most cases. “शुक्रिया” (shukriyaa) is an informal way to say “thank you” to family and friends.

Cultural warning: In Indian culture, saying “thank you” amongst close friends and family can actually be seen as impersonal or offensive because doing favours for loved ones is simply part of the relationship. Indians presume you’ll repay the favour and feel grateful for it, so explicit thanks can seem disingenuous or overly formal—reserve thank-yous for situations where reciprocation isn’t enough.

20. Arabic: شكراً (Shukran)

Pronunciation: SHOOK-rahn

Arabic has several dialects with poetic ways to express gratitude. “شكراً” (shukran) works across all Arabic-speaking countries. Regional variations include “تسلم” (tislam) for men and “تسلمي” (tislami) for women in the Levant countries. Beautiful expressions include “يعطيك العافية” (ya’tik al-‘afiya, may God give you health) and “يكثر خيرك” (yekather khairak, I wish that God increases your welfare).

21. Turkish: Teşekkür ederim

Pronunciation: teh-shek-KOOR eh-dehr-REEM

“Teşekkür ederim” directly translates to thank you. For casual situations, “teşekkürler” (thanks) or “sağ ol” (stay healthy) work well. In formal contexts, use “çok naziksiniz” (that’s very kind of you) or “çok düşüncelisiniz” (that’s very thoughtful of you).

22. Thai: ขอบคุณ (Khàawp-khun)

Pronunciation: KHOB-khoon

Thai gratitude has gendered versions for formal situations. Women add “ค่ะ” (ka) to make “ขอบคุณค่ะ” (khàawp-khun ka), whilst men add “ครับ” (krab) to make “ขอบคุณครับ” (khàawp-khun krab). When thanking elders, place your palms together in a prayer position (called a “wai”) or bow to be extra polite.

23. Vietnamese: Cảm ơn

Pronunciation: kahm urn

“Cảm ơn” is the basic thank-you for strangers and informal situations. In formal contexts, add personal pronouns for the person you’re addressing: “ông” (sir, for men over 50), “bà” (ma’am, for women over 50), “anh” (young man), “chị” (young lady), or “cô” (young girl). If unsure which to use, “xin cảm ơn” shows respect in any situation.

24. Indonesian: Terima kasih

Pronunciation: teh-ree-mah kah-SEE

“Terima kasih” is the most common Indonesian expression of gratitude. The phrase literally means “to accept the love” (terima = accept, kasih = love). For casual situations with friends, shorten it to “makasih”. You might even hear “thanks ya,” a blend of English and Indonesian.

25. Tagalog: Salamat

Pronunciation: sah-lah-MAHT

Filipino culture is known for hospitality and kindness. “Salamat” is the basic, informal way to say thank you. When addressing elders or showing respect, add “po” to make “salamat po”. For extra gratitude, use “maraming salamat” (thank you very much).

Cultural note: In the Philippines, gift-giving expresses gratitude more powerfully than verbal thanks.​

26. Bengali: ধন্যবাদ (Dhonnobad)

Pronunciation: dhohn-noh-BAHD

For formal situations or when thanking someone older, use “আপনাকে ধন্যবাদ” (apnake dhonnobad). With close friends, “তোকে ধন্যবাদ” (toke dhonnobad) works well.​

27. Urdu: شکریہ (Shukriya)

Pronunciation: shoo-KREE-yah

“شکریہ” (shukriya) is the standard Urdu thank you. Add “بہت” (bohat) before it to say “thank you very much”.

28. Hebrew: תודה (Toda)

Pronunciation: toh-DAH

Hebrew is the only language successfully brought back from extinction. “תודה” (toda) works in informal situations. For formal contexts, men use “אני מודה לך” (ani mode lecha), whilst women use “אני מודה ל” (ani moda lach).

29. Farsi (Persian): متشکرم (Moteshkaram)

Pronunciation: moh-teh-sheh-KAH-rahm

“متشکرم” (moteshkaram) is the most common way to say “thank you” in Farsi. “مرسی” (mersi), a loanword from French, is less formal. A poetic expression is “دست شما درد نکنه” (daste shomā dard nakone), meaning “may your hand not hurt,” used when thanking someone for a gift.

Persian culture values hospitality and humility, and when someone compliments you, it’s customary to deflect with “قربان شما” (ghorbāne shomā), literally “your sacrifice”.​

30. Tamil: நன்றி (Nandri)

Pronunciation: NAHN-dree

“நன்றி” (nandri) expresses thanks in Tamil. For emphasis, say “மிக்க நன்றி” (mikka nandri, thank you very much).

31. Punjabi: ਧੰਨਵਾਦ (Dhannvaad)

Pronunciation: dhahn-VAHD

Punjabi speakers use “ਧੰਨਵਾਦ” (dhannvaad) or “ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਧਨਵਾਦ” (tuhada dhannvaad) to express gratitude.​

32. Gujarati: આભાર (Aabhar)

Pronunciation: aah-BHAHR

Gujarati speakers say “આભાર” (aabhar) for thank you, with “ખુબ ખુબ આભાર” (khub khub aabhar) meaning “thank you very much”.

33. Khmer: ឣរគុណ (Au kun)

Pronunciation: aw KUNN

In Cambodian culture, the “sampeah” gesture, placing palms together in a prayer-like position with a slight bow, often accompanies “ឣរគុណ” (au kun). The height of your hands and the depth of your bow reflect the social status of the person you’re greeting.

When operating across diverse Asian markets, professional language interpreters ensure your business communications maintain cultural sensitivity and accuracy.​

African Languages

34. Swahili: Asante

Pronunciation: ah-SAHN-tey

Swahili is widely spoken across East Africa. “Asante” is the most common phrase, whilst “asante sana” means “thank you very much”. Generosity and hospitality are primary virtues in Swahili-speaking culture, making gratitude a critical way to connect with this tradition.

35. Afrikaans: Dankie

Pronunciation: DAHN-kee

“Dankie” works for most situations in South Africa. To say thank you very much, use “baie dankie,” where “baie” means “a lot”.

36. Amharic: Ameseginalehu (አመሰግናለሁ)

Pronunciation: ah-meh-seg-nah-LEH-hoo

Spoken in Ethiopia, “አመሰግናለሁ” (ameseginalehu) means thank you, though it can also mean “I praise you” or “I commend you”.

37. Zulu: Ngiyabonga

Pronunciation: n-gee-yah-BOH-ngah

In Zulu, “ngiyabonga” literally translates to “I see you,” reflecting the deep cultural significance of acknowledgement in Southern African cultures.​​

38. Yoruba: O ṣe

Pronunciation: oh SHEH

Yoruba speakers in Nigeria use “O ṣe” to express thanks.​

39. Hausa: Na gode

Pronunciation: nah GOH-deh

Spoken across West Africa, “na gode” is the Hausa expression for thank you.​

Other Languages

40. Ukrainian: Дякую (Dyakuyu)

Pronunciation: DYAH-koo-yoo

“Дякую” (dyakuyu) is the catch-all Ukrainian thank you. For added emphasis, use “дуже дякую” (duzhe dyakuyu, thank you very much) or “щиро дякую” (shchyro dyakuyu, sincerely thank you).

41. Finnish: Kiitos

Pronunciation: KEE-tohs

Finnish is straightforward: “kiitos” means “thank you.” For extreme gratitude, use “kiitos paljon” (thank you very much).

42. Icelandic: Takk

Pronunciation: tahk

In Icelandic, “takk” is used for informal thanks. For more formality, say “þakka þér” (thank you) or “þakka þér fyrir” (thank you very much).

43. Malay: Terima kasih

Pronunciation: teh-ree-mah KAH-see

Identical to Indonesian, “terima kasih” is the Malay word for “thank you.”​

44. Nepali: धन्यवाद (Dhanyavaad)

Pronunciation: dhahn-ya-VAHD

“धन्यवाद” (dhanyavaad) is the standard Nepali thank you. For extra emphasis, say “धेरै धेरै धन्यवाद” (dherai dherai dhanyavaad, thank you very very much).​

45. Latvian: Paldies

Pronunciation: PAHL-dee-es

“Paldies” is the most important word to learn in Latvian; it literally means thank you and works in any situation. For added gratitude, try “liels paldies” (many thanks) or “es esmu tik pateicīgs” (I’m so grateful).​​

46. Lithuanian: Ačiū

Pronunciation: ah-CHOO

Lithuanian speakers say “ačiū” for thank you.

47. Croatian: Hvala

Pronunciation: HVAH-lah

“Hvala” is the Croatian thank you, with “hvala vam” adding formality (thank you to you).

48. Bulgarian: Благодаря (Blagodarya)

Pronunciation: blah-goh-DAH-ryah

Bulgarians say “благодаря” (blagodarya) for thank you. Interestingly, Bulgaria adopted “merci” from French in the 1930s as a sophisticated alternative, making it common to hear “merci mnogo” (thanks very much).

49. Slovak: Ďakujem

Pronunciation: DYAH-koo-yehm

“Ďakujem” is the Slovak word for “thank you.”​

50. Māori: Kia ora / Tēnā koe

Pronunciation: kee-ah OH-rah / TEH-nah KOH-eh

In Māori culture from New Zealand, “kia ora” means “be well” and serves as both a greeting and expression of thanks. For more specific gratitude, “tēnā koe” addresses one person, whilst “tēnā koutou” addresses many.​

Cultural note: Māori doesn’t have specific words for politeness like “please.” Respect and gratitude are conveyed entirely through tone of voice.​

For businesses expanding into Pacific markets or other regions, Elite Asia’s transcreation services ensure your messaging resonates authentically with local cultural values.​

How to Express Appreciation in Different Cultures

Beyond Words: Non-Verbal Gratitude

Expressing gratitude isn’t always about words. Many cultures rely on gestures, gifts, and actions to convey appreciation:

• Bowing (Japan, Korea): The depth and duration of a bow reflect the level of respect and gratitude. A more profound bow shows greater appreciation.
• Wai Gesture (Thailand): Placing palms together in a prayer-like position with a slight bow expresses thanks. The height of the hands indicates the recipient’s social status.
• Sampeah (Cambodia): Similar to the Thai wai, this gesture accompanies verbal thanks with varying heights based on respect levels.​
• Physical Touch (Peru, Latin America): A vigorous handshake, tap on the shoulder, or hand on the arm expresses gratitude in many Latin American cultures.​
• Clapping and Song (Nigeria, Ghana): Rhythmic clapping, songs, and sincere praise show deep appreciation in West African cultures.​

When NOT to Say Thank You

Surprisingly, some cultures find explicit verbal thanks inappropriate in specific contexts:

• India: Between family and close friends, saying “thank you” can seem impersonal. The relationship itself implies mutual support without the need for formal thanks.
• Semai Senoi (Malaysia): Saying “thank you” is considered profoundly rude. Calculating a gift’s worth violates the cultural taboo of “punan,” while sharing freely aligns with cultural expectations. Not expressing thanks implies trust in the relationship’s strength.​
• Taiwan: Explicit verbal thanks are less common in everyday informal interaction. Tacit understandings and actions often replace words.​

Understanding these cultural nuances is essential for successful cross-cultural business communication. Elite Asia’s regional expertise helps companies navigate these complexities when expanding across ASEAN markets.​

Formality Matters: Formal vs Informal Thank You

Many languages distinguish between formal and informal expressions of gratitude based on:

• Social hierarchy: Age, position, and status determine appropriate formality levels.
• Relationship closeness: Family and close friends receive informal thanks, whilst strangers and superiors require formal expressions.​
• Gender: Some languages, like Portuguese, change the thank-you word based on the speaker’s gender, whilst Thai and Khmer add gendered particles.
• Situation context: Business settings, religious contexts, and public events typically demand more formal gratitude expressions.

When creating content for international audiences, Elite Asia’s content generation services ensure your tone aligns with cultural expectations for formality across markets.​

Quick Reference Table: Thank You in 50 Languages

Practical Tips for Using Thank You Phrases

Pronunciation Matters

Whilst native speakers appreciate any effort to speak their language, pronunciation significantly impacts how your gratitude is received:

1. Listen first: Before travelling or meeting someone, listen to native speakers pronounce thank you through language apps or videos.​
2. Practice tone: Tonal languages like Mandarin, Thai, and Vietnamese change meaning based on pitch. The wrong tone can create confusion.
3. Don’t worry about perfection: Effort and sincerity matter more than perfect pronunciation. Native speakers appreciate attempts, even if imperfect.
4. Use transliteration carefully: Written transliterations help, but hearing the actual pronunciation provides better guidance.​

For businesses creating multilingual content, professional translators ensure pronunciation guides and cultural notes accurately reflect local usage.​

Context Is Everything

Using the correct thank-you phrase for the situation demonstrates cultural awareness:

• Business meetings: Opt for formal expressions showing respect for professional relationships.
• Casual encounters: Informal phrases suit interactions with peers, friends, and service workers.
• Family settings: Some cultures prefer actions over words amongst loved ones.
• Religious contexts: Certain phrases invoke divine blessings and suit spiritual settings.​

Combine Words and Gestures

Pairing verbal thanks with appropriate non-verbal communication strengthens your message:

• Smile warmly whilst speaking​
• Make appropriate eye contact (cultural norms vary)​
• Use culturally appropriate gestures (bowing, wai, sampeah)
• Match your enthusiasm to cultural communication styles​

When localising your brand for Asian markets, understanding these subtle communication patterns becomes crucial for an authentic connection.​

Conclusion: Cultural and Linguistic Nuances with Expert Support

Learning how to say thank you in different languages opens doors to meaningful cross-cultural connections. This guide has explored 50 languages, revealing that gratitude expression varies dramatically across cultures, from the hierarchical formality of Japanese to the gesture-based thanks of Thailand, from the gender-specific Portuguese to the action-oriented preferences of Indian culture.

The most important takeaway? Context matters as much as vocabulary. Understanding when, how, and even whether to say thank you requires cultural sensitivity that goes beyond memorising phrases. Some cultures find verbal thanks essential for every interaction, whilst others view explicit gratitude amongst close relationships as cold or unnecessary.

For businesses expanding internationally, these linguistic and cultural nuances become critical. A poorly translated thank-you message or culturally inappropriate expression of gratitude can damage relationships and undermine trust. That’s where professional language services make the difference.

Elite Asia specialises in helping businesses communicate authentically across linguistic and cultural boundaries. Our team of native-speaking translators and cultural experts ensures your messages, whether marketing content, business correspondence, or customer communications, resonate appropriately with audiences in over 80 major ASEAN languages.​

From website localisation that captures local idioms to professional interpretation services for critical business meetings, we help companies navigate the complexities of global communication with confidence.

Whether you’re thanking a business partner in Tokyo, expressing appreciation to customers in Mumbai, or building relationships with clients in São Paulo, the effort to communicate in someone’s native language demonstrates respect and opens pathways to deeper connection. Each “gracias,” “arigatou,” or “asante” can transform a transaction into a relationship.

Ready to expand your global reach with culturally authentic communication? Explore Elite Asia’s comprehensive language services and discover how we can help your business connect meaningfully with audiences worldwide. Visit our language services page to get started today.​

Remember: gratitude is universal, but the ways we express it are beautifully diverse. By learning these 50 ways to say thank you, you’re not just expanding your linguistic repertoire; you’re opening yourself to richer, more meaningful interactions with people from every corner of our multilingual world.