ありがとうございました

ありがとうございました
expression
thank you (for what you did)
politegreeting
See also: ありがとうございます (present form)
1. thank you (for a favor or service that is now complete)
The past form of ありがとうございます, used to thank someone for something already done: at the end of a lesson, a visit, a phone call, or a transaction, or the next day for yesterday's help. Shop staff say it as a farewell after a purchase.
昨日(きのう)ありがとうございました。
Thank you for yesterday.
本日(ほんじつ)()いただき、ありがとうございました。
Thank you for coming today.
Thank you very much for teaching me this past year.

Usage

  • ありがとうございます: thanks for a favor in progress, or general thanks ('thank you for always...')
  • ありがとうございました: thanks for a favor that is finished; it also closes an interaction, so it doubles as a goodbye after a lesson or a purchase
  • Both are polite; among friends the plain ありがとう serves for both

Common patterns

Related words