ありがとう

ありがとう is the casual form for expressing gratitude. It is one of the most fundamental Japanese expressions.

FORMALITY LEVELS:

• どうも: thanks (very casual, minimal)
• ありがとう: thank you (casual — friends, family)
• ありがとうございます: thank you (polite — standard)
• どうもありがとうございます: thank you very much (formal)

COMMON PATTERNS:

• 〜てくれてありがとう: thank you for doing ~
• 〜てくださってありがとうございます: thank you for doing ~ (polite)
• 本当(ほんとう)にありがとう: thank you so much
• いつもありがとう: thanks as always

ETYMOLOGY:
From 有(あ)り難(がた)い, meaning "rare" or "hard to come by" — expressing that the kindness received is precious and not to be taken for granted.

PAST TENSE:
ありがとうございました is used when thanking for something already completed.