Exercise 5: Expressions Before and After Thanking

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u Note that gratitude is communicated more carefully and fully in Situation 2, due to the magnitude of thanks and age/status differences between the speakers.The deeper the sense of gratitude is, the more elaborate the verbal expressions are likely to be.

u Gochisousama (desu/shita)is an often used as an expression of thanks for a meal or food/drink.

u It is a common practice to usethe present tensefor expressions of thanks, such asarigatou gozaimasuandgochisou sama desubefore or while receiving a favor.However,the past tenseis used fora favor that has already been received.

Situation 7: An exchange student agrees to accept more food saying:

留学生：ありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.(before receiving a favor)

Situation 1: After returning a book to a professor, a student says:

学生：ありがとうございました。Arigatou gozaimashita.(after receiving a favor)

Situation 5:An office worker thanks his boss for her help:

会社員：ほんとにありがとうございました。Hontoni arigatou gozaimashita.(after receiving a favor)

Also see another set of examples:

When borrowing class notes to a friend (BEFORE/WHILE receiving a favor):

ありがとう。ほんとに助かる！Arigatou.Hontonitasukaru!‘Thanks.Thisis going to helpme a lot.’

When returning the notes to the friend (AFTER receiving a favor):

ありがとう。ほんとに助かった。Arigatou.Hontonitasukatta.‘Thanks.Thishelpedme a lot.’

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