どういたしまして

どういたしまして
expression
you're welcome; not at all
politegreeting
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(たす)けてくれてありがとう。—どういたしまして、当然(とうぜん)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(やく)に立(た)てて嬉(うれ)しいです。
You're welcome, I'm glad I could help.
「教(おし)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(にもつ)を持(も)ってくれてありがとう」「どういたしまして、重(おも)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.

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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.

SIMILAR WORDS (other replies, casual to formal):

Usage

In business or formal situations, どういたしまして works well. Among friends, いえいえ or 全然(ぜんぜん)大丈夫(だいじょうぶ) sounds more natural.

Related Words

Related: ありがとう (thank you (response to))
Compare: いいえ (casual, meaning "no need to thank")
Compare: 全然(ぜんぜん) ("not at all")
Compare: とんでもない ("not at all")

Related Articles

Greetings and Set Phrases for Everyday Life
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Added 2026.1.16 12:28 · Revised 2026.10.10 22:54
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