Question
5 March
- Japanese
-
English (US)
Question about English (US)
What does "thank" mean? I mean I understand that we use this word to express my gratitude. But sometimes I find people say "thank you" in the situation where we use a different word other than "thank you" in our mother tongue (Japanese). I soppose the concept "giving gratitude" is the same, but original meaning is somehow slightly different between these two languages. My dictionary says it stems from Latin word which means "think," but I'm still unclear. So what does "thank" originally mean?
What does "thank" mean? I mean I understand that we use this word to express my gratitude. But sometimes I find people say "thank you" in the situation where we use a different word other than "thank you" in our mother tongue (Japanese). I soppose the concept "giving gratitude" is the same, but original meaning is somehow slightly different between these two languages. My dictionary says it stems from Latin word which means "think," but I'm still unclear. So what does "thank" originally mean?
Answers
5 March
Featured answer
- English (US)
- Vietnamese Near fluent
It comes from latin meaning “think” because thank means they will think of what you did and show gratitude. It was originally like saying “I am in your debt” for what you did for me. It was a way of giving credit to what someone had done for you. Over time it evolved to “thank you” having its own meanings different from how it was originally used.
Highly-rated answerer
Read more comments
- English (US)
It means something like “I appreciate what you did,” “I am grateful for what you did.” It is a recognition of someone’s kind action.
Could you tell me more about the Japanese contexts that are different? 日本語でもいいですよ!
Highly-rated answerer
- English (US)
- Simplified Chinese (China)
to thank, to appreciate.
Americans like to say “thank you” A LOT. Whenever someone helps us out, in any way, we say “thank you.”
However, to thank is also a verb. It means “to express gratitude”
You need to thank him for helping you.
I thank my mother for giving birth to me.
“Thank” is also often seen in the phrase “thanks to someone.” With the help of someone, something else was better.
Thanks to my professor, I learned a lot this year.
“Thank” is also used ironically. Someone may have inconvenienced you or put you in a worse situation, and you may “thank” them ironically because they are the cause of it.
Thanks to my brother, I am grounded with him today.
Thanks to the rain, we can’t play soccer.
Hope that helps!
- English (US)
- Vietnamese Near fluent
It comes from latin meaning “think” because thank means they will think of what you did and show gratitude. It was originally like saying “I am in your debt” for what you did for me. It was a way of giving credit to what someone had done for you. Over time it evolved to “thank you” having its own meanings different from how it was originally used.
Highly-rated answerer
- Japanese
@Kyotosakura87
ありがとうございます。
例えば
Hello, my name is XXX. I'm from Tokyo, Japan. I like ancient histric buildings so I am really glad to join this class. Thank you.
のとき、この最後のThank youではなく、「よろしくおねがいします」と言うことの方が多いです。
(「よろしくおねがいします」のあとに、「お聞きくださってありがとうございます」というかもしれませんが。)
また、有名人がレッドカーペットの上を歩くときなどに、沿道の人たちに向かって"Thank you, thank you!"というのも、日本では見かけません。日本語なら、というか、日本人ならこのようなとき、手を振ったり会釈をしたりしますが、「ありがとう、ありがとう」は使わないように思います。
ありがとうございます。
例えば
Hello, my name is XXX. I'm from Tokyo, Japan. I like ancient histric buildings so I am really glad to join this class. Thank you.
のとき、この最後のThank youではなく、「よろしくおねがいします」と言うことの方が多いです。
(「よろしくおねがいします」のあとに、「お聞きくださってありがとうございます」というかもしれませんが。)
また、有名人がレッドカーペットの上を歩くときなどに、沿道の人たちに向かって"Thank you, thank you!"というのも、日本では見かけません。日本語なら、というか、日本人ならこのようなとき、手を振ったり会釈をしたりしますが、「ありがとう、ありがとう」は使わないように思います。
Show romaji/hiragana
- English (US)
@jete_et_jete そうですよね。分かりました。その例には、「Thank you」は略語かもしれませんね。いらっしゃった通り、「聞いて下さってありがとうございます」という意味があり、それとも「親切にしていただいてありがとうございます」というニュアンスもあります。
レッドカーペットの場合には、謙遜のニュアンスがあります。例えば「ああ、私が有名だと思っていますか?嬉しいです。それを思ってくれるありがとうございます」という感じになるでしょうね。
Highly-rated answerer
- Japanese
@Kyotosakura87 詳しく教えてくださってありがとうございます!
特に、レッドカーペットの場合は、なんとなく彼らの気持ちはわかっていたのだけど、やはり不思議だったので、ネイティブの方に教えてもらえてとてもスッキリしました!
特に、レッドカーペットの場合は、なんとなく彼らの気持ちはわかっていたのだけど、やはり不思議だったので、ネイティブの方に教えてもらえてとてもスッキリしました!
Show romaji/hiragana
- Japanese
@fw6 Some
I was uncertain how to use "thanks to" in ironic manner, but now I undestood.
Thank you. (Truly sincerely)
I was uncertain how to use "thanks to" in ironic manner, but now I undestood.
Thank you. (Truly sincerely)
- English (US)
- Simplified Chinese (China)
@jete_et_jete Hahahaha! You’re welcome! Thanks for the sincere thank ;)

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