Different ways of saying "Thank you" in Japanese

[mmmason8967]

As a beginner I've learned the standard, stock phrase for "thank you" is arigatou gozaimasu. But having watched a few Japanese movies and TV broadcasts, I've come across a number of other phrases being used to mean "thank you" that I don't entirely understand, so I was hoping somebody would be able to explain.

Arigatou gozaimashita (i.e. the past tense) seems to be used much more often than the present-tense standard phrase, as least in the material that I've been watching. I have a feeling that the choice of tense depends on the whether the thing for which thanks are being expressed has finished or is still in progress. So, for example, at the end of a TV interview the past-tense phrase is used because the interview has finished.

Sumimasen seems to be used fairly often to mean "thank you" rather than "excuse me". It seems to be used when the person being spoken to has definitely got the upper hand in the social situation. So, for example, the candidate at a job interview will say "sumimasen" after being invited to take a seat.

Onegaishimasu seems to be used occasionally to mean "thank you" rather than "please". This one puzzles me because I can't quite see how "please" becomes "thank you". If I had to guess, I imagine it might be appropriate when you thank someone for what they intend to do but haven't actually done yet. So, for example, someone might say "I will get you one when I go to the supermarket tomorrow" and in English you'd say "thank you" but logically you could also say "oh, yes please".

All my attempted explanations are guesswork based on context and might be completely wrong. I'd appreciate it if anyone could provide better or more knowledgeable explanations.

[Jessi]

I like to think of お願いします as having the connotation of "thank you in advance" in English. You will see it at the end of emails that contain requests, where someone might write "Thanks in advance" if it were in English. You are thanking them, but for something that hasn't been done yet (like you said).

[mmmason8967]

I like to think of お願いします as having the connotation of "thank you in advance" in English.

Thanks, Jessi. The phrase "thank you in advance" is a very good fit for the context where I have heard お願いします used to mean "thank you". It suddenly makes complete sense!

I'm not sure whether　ありがとうございます　or　ありがとうございました　is the right expression at this point

[jkerianjapanesepod5596]

The literal meaning of these phrases can be enlightening with onegaishimasu and sumimasen. onegaishimasu literally means something on the order of "I humbly request". What is being requested is usually your attention or service.

Your arigatou goziamashita analysis seems accurate. You use the past tense to thank the person for something that has already finished. Present tense is used to thank someone for something either in progress or about to start.

Sumimasen is somewhat tricky. It literally means "it is incomplete", but is used as an apology indicating that there is something wrong. Because of that original meaning, it can also mean "I now owe you something", so it can stand-in as a 'thank you' as well. Note that there is also "gomen nasai", which is also used to apologize. The two overlap in usage, but a general guideline might be that "sumimasen" is used when you have a right to do something, but are still apologizing for the interruption, whereas "gomen nasai" is used when you didn't/don't have a right to do what you are apologizing for.

For example, when you want to call the waitress over to your table in Japan, you typically just shout "sumimasen". You have a right to interrupt her life by ordering food, given that you are both there for this purpose, but you still apologize for the interruption. If you accidentally order something your date is allergic to, 'sumimasen' isn't really appropriate. 'gomen nasai' implies some level of personal guilt, but 'sumimasen' can also be more neutral. There are some differences in formality level as well, which Derek and Alennano go over in http://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/317 .

[natsukoy9313]

> mmmason8967-san,
like jkerianjapanesepod5596-san says, your analysis is quite impressive.
We use both present and past tenses for arigatou, and usually the difference is
whether or not the obejct (action) of appriciation has finished. For example, TV broadcaster
might say "arigatou gozaimasu" (present tense) at the beginning of the show for appreciating the viewer, and "arigatou gozaimashita" (past tense) at the end of the show for, again,
appreciating the viewer. At the beginning of the show, they'd appreciate for coming to watch the show
and at the end they'd appreciate for having watched the show.

> jkerianjapanesepod5596-san,
Wow thank you for detailed explanation!
You're right; "sumimasen" is used for appreciating because we do have "I owe you" kind of feelings
or feeling sorry to bother someone to do me/us a favour.
This is connected also to our "return the favour (okaeshi)" culture
(if you give someone a present, s/he would give you also a present back to appreciate)

[mmmason8967]

Thank you all for the very detailed replies. And apologies for the very slow response: I've been very busy at work for the past month and now I'm trying to catch up on everything I've missed.

The explanations of sumimasen have explained a scene in an anime that I watched some time ago and which completely mystified me. The scene hinged on one character using "sumimasen" to mean "thank you" and everybody else being surprised by this, for reasons I couldn't begin to fathom. But now you've explained that sumimasen can mean "I now owe you something" and how it's connected to okaeshi, it's like the light has come on and the scene now makes complete sense.

ありがとうございました。

[natsukoy9313]

mmmason8967-san,
Glad I could help you!!
Anytime; anything