You’re Welcome in Japanese: Mastering Polite Expressions

When learning to speak Japanese, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with basic expressions that facilitate smooth communication in daily conversations. One of the key phrases you’ll encounter is how to say “You’re welcome.” While it may seem like a simple phrase in English, Japanese offers various ways to express this depending on the context, level of formality, and the relationship between speakers.

In this blog, we’ll dive into the different ways to say “You’re welcome” in Japanese when to use them, and provide clear examples to guide you through understanding this polite and cultural nuance.

5 Common Phrases for “You’re Welcome”

Unlike English, which primarily uses one or two phrases for “You’re welcome,” Japanese has several expressions to choose from. Each phrase carries a different level of politeness and formality. Below is a table that outlines the common phrases, their literal meanings, and their appropriate usage:

Japanese	Romaji	Literal Meaning	Usage
どういたしまして	Douitashimashite	“It’s nothing”	Common, neutral politeness. Can be used in most everyday situations.
いえいえ	Ie ie	“No, no”	Casual. Often used among friends or in informal settings.
いいえ、どういたしまして	Iie, douitashimashite	“No, it’s nothing”	A slightly more formal version. Acknowledges the thanks while downplaying the act.
とんでもないです	Tondemonai desu	“It’s unthinkable”	Formal. Often used in business contexts or when someone overly praises you.
恐縮です	Kyoushuku desu	“I am humbled”	Very formal. Typically used in humble settings, especially in business.

1. どういたしまして (Douitashimashite)

The phrase どういたしまして is the most common and neutral way of saying “you’re welcome” in Japanese. It is polite enough to use with strangers, acquaintances, or colleagues and is simple to remember. Think of it as a go-to phrase when someone thanks you, regardless of the formality.

Example:

• A: ありがとうございます！(Arigatou gozaimasu! – Thank you!)
• B: どういたしまして。 (Douitashimashite. – You’re welcome.)

2. いえいえ (Ie ie)

The expression いえいえ is much more casual. It’s often used in informal settings, such as between friends or family members. It gives off a relaxed vibe and dismisses the thanks, implying that what you did was no trouble at all.

Example:

• A: ありがとう！(Arigatou! – Thanks!)
• B: いえいえ。 (Ie ie. – You’re welcome.)

3. いいえ、どういたしまして (Iie, douitashimashite)

Adding the polite いいえ (Iie) at the start, this phrase combines politeness with a hint of humility. It’s slightly more formal than simply saying どういたしまして, and it’s typically used in professional situations where a neutral yet polite response is necessary.

Example:

• A: お手伝いありがとうございます！(O-tetsudai arigatou gozaimasu! – Thank you for your help!)
• B: いいえ、どういたしまして。(Iie, douitashimashite. – No, you’re welcome.)

4. とんでもないです (Tondemonai desu)

The phrase とんでもないです translates to something along the lines of “It’s unthinkable” or “No way,” implying that the act was so minor that it shouldn’t even be acknowledged. This is a more formal expression and is often used when someone gives you high praise or thanks you excessively.

Example:

• A: 素晴らしいお仕事をしてくれてありがとうございます！(Subarashii oshigoto o shite kurete arigatou gozaimasu! – Thank you for doing such a great job!)
• B: とんでもないです。 (Tondemonai desu. – It was nothing.)

5. 恐縮です (Kyoushuku desu)

The phrase 恐縮です is used to express a very humble sense of “you’re welcome.” It’s a highly formal phrase and is typically found in business or formal settings. It conveys a deep sense of modesty, especially in situations where someone is overly thankful.

Example:

• A:お手間を取らせてしまい、すみませんでした。ありがとうございました！(Otema o torasete shimai, sumimasen deshita. Arigatou gozaimashita! – Sorry for taking up your time. Thank you!)
• B: 恐縮です。 (Kyoushuku desu. – I’m humbled.)

Cultural Nuances Behind “You’re Welcome” in Japanese

In Japanese culture, humility and politeness are deeply embedded in daily interactions. That’s why many of these “you’re welcome” expressions focus on downplaying the act of kindness. Rather than accepting thanks and focusing on oneself, the speaker typically redirects the attention away from their own action.

For example, とんでもないです (Tondemonai desu) literally translates to “unthinkable,” meaning that the speaker didn’t even consider the action worth mentioning, which shows modesty.

In contrast, 恐縮です (Kyoushuku desu) carries an almost apologetic tone, suggesting that the speaker feels undeserving of the gratitude they’re receiving. Such subtleties reflect Japan’s collective values, where actions and politeness often reflect how one fits into the larger societal framework.

Politeness Levels: When to Use Each Phrase

Choosing the right phrase is essential based on the level of formality required in the situation. The following table summarizes when to use each expression:

Expression	Level of Formality	Typical Situation
どういたしまして	Neutral	Everyday interactions, with friends, colleagues, or strangers
いえいえ	Casual	Informal settings, such as between friends or family members
いいえ、どういたしまして	Polite	Polite but friendly conversations, business-casual environments
とんでもないです	Formal	Professional environments, when receiving praise from superiors
恐縮です	Very Formal	Business or highly formal settings, typically used in a humble context

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Frequently asked questions

Q. Is it polite to use どういたしまして in all situations?

A. Yes, どういたしまして (Douitashimashite) is polite enough to use in most contexts. However, in very formal settings, you might opt for a more formal phrase like 恐縮です (Kyoushuku desu).

Q. Can “You’re welcome” be expressed differently in regional dialects?

A. Yes, in the Kansai region, for example, people might say かまへん (Kamahen), which means “It’s no problem” in a casual and regional way.

Q. What is the most humble way to say “You’re welcome”?

A. The phrase 恐縮です (Kyoushuku desu) is the most humble way to say “You’re welcome.” It’s used in very formal contexts and expresses modesty and humility.

Conclusion

Mastering the appropriate way to say “you’re welcome” in Japanese adds a layer of cultural understanding to your language-learning journey. Depending on the level of formality, you have various options to express this polite phrase—from casual いえいえ to the very formal 恐縮です.

Now that you’ve learned the various ways to say “you’re welcome” in Japanese, try practicing with native speakers or through language learning platforms like italki to improve your fluency!