おかげさまで
おかげさまで
expression
thanks to you; fortunately; I'm happy to say
1.
thanks to you; thanks to your help; owing to your kindness
A polite expression used when acknowledging someone else's help or influence in a positive outcome. Expresses gratitude for the other person's support.
おかげさまで元気です。
I'm doing well, thank you.
おかげさまで無事に合格しました。
Thanks to you, I passed safely.
皆様のおかげさまで開店10周年を迎えることができました。
Thanks to all of you, we have been able to celebrate our 10th anniversary.
2.
fortunately; happily; I'm glad to say
Used as a polite conversational opener when reporting good news, even when the listener did not directly contribute to the outcome. A humble way of sharing positive developments.
おかげさまで元気です。
I'm doing well, thank you.
おかげさまで商売は順調です。
I'm happy to say that business is going well.
「最近どう？」「おかげさまで、元気にやっています。」
"How have you been?" "I'm doing well, thank you for asking."
おかげさまで子どもも大きくなりました。
I'm glad to say the children have grown up.
A polite set phrase composed of おかげ (thanks to, owing to) and 様 (honorific). Widely used as a conversational expression when reporting positive news. Even when the listener had no direct role in the outcome, using おかげさまで shows humility and social grace by attributing good fortune to the support of others.
COMMON USAGE:
The most frequent use is as a response to "How are you?" or similar greetings: おかげさまで元気です literally means "thanks to you, I am well," but functions as a polite "I'm fine, thank you."
GRAMMAR:
- おかげさまで + positive statement: the standard pattern
- [noun]のおかげさまで: explicitly naming who you are thanking
- おかげさまをもちまして: very formal version used in speeches and announcements
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- おかげで: thanks to — less formal, can also be used sarcastically for negative outcomes
- 皆様のおかげで: thanks to everyone — slightly less formal than おかげさまで
- ありがたいことに: thankfully, gratefully — more focused on the speaker's feelings
Related Words
Related:
おかげ