御 礼(おんれい)

おんれい

noun

thanks; gratitude

formalpolitebusinesscommunication greeting

1. thanks; gratitude; expression of thanks (formal)

A formal, mostly written word for thanks, used in letters, speeches, notices and business greetings. It is the ceremonious counterpart of お礼(れい), and almost always appears in fixed phrases such as 御礼申(おんれいもう)し上(あ)げます. The same spelling is also read おれい (= お礼(れい)), and many speakers say おれい in that phrase; おんれい is the more ceremonious reading and the fixed one in 満員御礼(まんいんおんれい).

心(こころ)より御礼申(おんれいもう)し上(あ)げます。

We extend our heartfelt thanks.

皆様(みなさま)のご支援(しえん)に深(ふか)く御礼申(おんれいもう)し上(あ)げます。

We are deeply grateful to all of you for your support.

本日(ほんじつ)はお忙(いそが)しい中(なか)ご来場(らいじょう)いただき、厚(あつ)く御礼申(おんれいもう)し上(あ)げます。

Thank you very much for taking the time to come here today.

Belongs to formal writing and set speeches; in conversation, use お礼(れい) or simply ありがとうございます. Shops also post 満員御礼(まんいんおんれい) ("thank you: full house") and 御礼(おんれい) on notices of thanks.

Common expressions

御礼申(おんれいもう)し上(あ)げます: I/we humbly offer our thanks
厚(あつ)く御礼申(おんれいもう)し上(あ)げます: we are deeply grateful
満員御礼(まんいんおんれい): sold out, full house (sign at sumo, theatres)

Similar words

お礼(れい): thanks, a thank-you gift — the everyday word
感謝(かんしゃ): gratitude — the feeling itself

Related Words

Compare: お礼(れい) (thanks, a thank-you gift)

Compare: 感謝(かんしゃ) (gratitude)

general

Added 2026.9.29 1:32 · Revised 2026.10.1 18:54

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