どういたしまして
どういたしまして
expression
you're welcome; not at all
1.
you're welcome; not at all; don't mention it
A polite response when someone thanks you, indicating that what you did was no trouble.
「ありがとうございます」「どういたしまして」
"Thank you very much." "You're welcome."
助けてくれてありがとう。—どういたしまして、当然のことです。
Thank you for helping. —You're welcome, it was nothing.
どういたしまして、お役に立てて嬉しいです。
You're welcome, I'm glad I could help.
「教えてくれてありがとう」「どういたしまして」
"Thank you for teaching me." "You're welcome."
「荷物を持ってくれてありがとう」「どういたしまして、重くなかったですよ」
"Thank you for carrying my bags." "You're welcome, they weren't heavy."
どういたしまして is the standard polite response to thanks, equivalent to "you're welcome." It comes from the humble verb いたす (to do), literally meaning "what have I done (that deserves thanks)?" — a self-deprecating expression.
REGISTER:
While taught in textbooks as the go-to reply, どういたしまして can sound stiff or overly formal in casual conversation. Younger speakers often use lighter alternatives.
ALTERNATIVE RESPONSES (casual → formal):
- いいえ: casual, meaning "no need to thank"
- いえいえ: humble dismissal, very common
- 全然: "not at all" (casual)
- 大丈夫です: "it's fine" (neutral)
- とんでもないです: "not at all" (polite/formal)
- とんでもございません: very formal/humble
USAGE TIP:
In business or formal situations, どういたしまして works well. Among friends, いえいえ or 全然大丈夫 sounds more natural.
Related Words
Related:
ありがとう (thank you (response to))