Cannot Say Arigato in Japan When You Want to Thank Someone?

Even if you’ve never studied Japanese, almost everyone knows that arigato means “thank you.” So when you travel to Japan, your instinct is probably to use it right away.
But here’s the thing most visitors don’t realize: sometimes you actually shouldn’t say arigato.

Japanese Has Honorific, Polite, and Casual Speech Levels

One of the most fascinating parts of Japanese is how the language shifts depending on who you’re speaking to. With family or close friends, casual speech feels warm, relaxed, and friendly. But when you’re talking to strangers, service staff, elders, or anyone above you socially, Japanese expects more polite or even honorific speech. Using the wrong level can unintentionally come across as rude — even if you mean well.

Take the word “arigato,” written as ありがとう. It’s casual — great for friends, not so great for your hotel concierge or the person helping you at a train station. In those situations, it might sound too blunt.

If you want to express gratitude politely (and this is the one every traveler should memorize), use:

That tiny addition — *gozaimasu* — instantly makes your thank-you sound respectful and appropriate in almost any situation.

Why You Sometimes Shouldn’t Say “Thank You” in Japanese

Here’s a culture twist that surprises a lot of visitors:

There are moments when “thank you” (even the polite ありがとうございます) actually feels out of place.

Imagine you ask someone for help — directions, a favor, or a small task — and they agree. In English, we’d immediately say “thank you!” But in Japanese, people usually say:

Why?
Because “thank you” is for *after* someone finishes helping you. Saying it beforehand can feel like you’re assuming the favor is already done — which may put pressure on the other person.

“お願いします” removes that pressure and is polite in every context, from strangers to coworkers. Even among friends it’s a bit formal, but still normal.

Japanese Often Uses an Apology to Express Gratitude

If you’ve spent time in Japan, you might’ve noticed something charming: when you hold the elevator door for someone, instead of saying “thank you,” many Japanese people say:

Sometimes they’ll add ありがとうございます after it — but not always.

Why apologize in a moment of gratitude?

Because in Japanese culture, if someone benefits from your time or trouble — even slightly — it feels natural to acknowledge that burden with “すみません.”
Holding the elevator door is a tiny favor, but it still takes your time, so the other person expresses both gratitude and humility through an apology.

This habit even follows Japanese people abroad. Many learners of English catch themselves saying “I’m sorry” instead of “thank you,” leaving others confused: “Why are you apologizing?”

Language really is a window into culture — and Japanese offers some of the most interesting surprises.

FAQ: Common Questions Travelers Have About Saying Thank You in Japanese

• Is it rude to say just “arigato”?
  Not rude with friends, but too casual for service staff or strangers. Use arigatou gozaimasu instead.
• What should I say when someone agrees to help me?
  Say onegai shimasu or yoroshiku onegai shimasu—never “thank you” at that moment.
• Why do Japanese people say “sumimasen” when receiving help?
  It acknowledges both gratitude and the small inconvenience caused to the helper.
• Is “sumimasen” polite?
  Yes—very. It works in nearly every situation and is commonly used.
• What’s the safest word to use for “thank you” in Japan?
  Arigatou gozaimasu. If you’re unsure, use this one.