You're Welcome in Japanese: 12 Ways to Say Dou Itashimashite

So you've learned how to say thank you in Japanese (arigatou gozaimasu!), but what happens when someone thanks you? Here's the thing: responding to thank you in Japanese can feel way more complicated than it should be. The most common phrase you'll learn is , but honestly, most Japanese people don't actually use it that often in everyday conversation. In this guide, I'll walk you through all the different ways Japanese speakers respond to arigatou, from super casual expressions you'd use with friends to formal phrases for business situations. You'll learn when to use each one, how to pronounce them, and what cultural context makes them appropriate.

Understanding Japanese responses to thank you

Before jumping into specific phrases, you should know that Japanese culture approaches gratitude responses differently than English does. The direct translation of "you're welcome" exists, but Japanese speakers often prefer more modest or downplaying responses. This ties into the cultural value of humility, where brushing off thanks or minimizing your own contribution is considered polite.

The standard textbook answer to "What is the reply to Arigato?" is , which literally means something like "it was nothing" or "don't mention it." But in real conversations, you'll hear a bunch of different expressions depending on the relationship between speakers, the formality of the situation, and what exactly is being thanked.

Dou itashimashite: The standard “you’re welcome”

どういたしまして is the phrase you'll find in every Japanese textbook. It's the closest direct equivalent to "you're welcome" in English, and it works in most situations where you need a polite response.

The phrase uses the polite "mashita" verb ending, which makes it appropriate for strangers, acquaintances, customers, or anyone you'd use formal language with.

Here's when dou itashimashite works well:

The funny thing about this expression is that while it's perfectly correct, native speakers sometimes find it a bit stiff. Think of it like responding "you are quite welcome" in English instead of just "no problem." Grammatically perfect, but maybe a touch formal for everyday use.

Casual ways to say you’re welcome in Japanese

When you're hanging out with friends or talking to people close to your age, you'll want more relaxed responses. These casual alternatives sound way more natural in informal settings.

Iie iie (No, no)

いいえいいえ literally means "no, no" and works as a casual way to brush off thanks. You're basically saying "no need to thank me" in the most minimal way possible.

I use this one constantly with friends. Someone says arigatou for passing them the soy sauce, and you just wave your hand and say "iie iie." Quick, easy, natural.

Uun uun (Casual “nah”)

ううん is even more casual than iie iie. This is the super informal version, basically like saying "nah" or "nope" in English. You'd only use this with close friends or people younger than you. The sound is like "oon oon" with a nasal quality.

Zenzen (Not at all)

The word means "not at all" and works as a quick dismissal of thanks. Pronounce it "zen-zen" (pretty straightforward). You're telling the person that what you did was so minor it doesn't deserve thanks.

This casual way to say you're welcome works great when someone thanks you for something small. Like if you held the door open or picked up something they dropped.

Daijoubu (It's okay)

The expression is one of the most versatile words in Japanese. It means "okay" or "alright" and can work as a response to thank you in casual situations.

When someone says arigatou and you respond with daijoubu, you're essentially saying "it's all good, don't worry about it." Super common among younger people and friends.

Ie ie (Informal “no no”)

いえいえ is basically the same as iie iie but written differently. Some people prefer this version. The meaning and usage are identical, just a slight variation in how it's written in hiragana versus kanji.

Polite and formal expressions

When you're in professional settings, talking to superiors, or need to show extra respect, these formal expressions will serve you better than the casual options.

Tondemonai (Absolutely not)

とんでもない or its more polite form とんでもないことです translates to something like "absolutely not" or "that's absurd." In context, you're saying the thanks is undeserved because what you did was nothing special.

This expression walks the line between polite and casual depending on how you say it. The full phrase "tondemonai koto desu" works in formal situations, while just "tondemonai" alone is more casual.

Kyoushuku desu (I’m humbled)

The reply is a humble, formal response that literally means something like "I'm humbled" or "I'm grateful for your words." This is business-level politeness.

You'd use this in professional contexts, with clients, or when someone important thanks you for something. It shows respect and humility.

An even more formal version is , which uses the super-polite "gozaimasu" ending. This is peak formality, the kind of thing you'd hear in high-end restaurants or corporate settings.

Osoreirimasu (I'm grateful)

The reply is another humble, formal expression. It conveys gratitude for the other person's gratitude, if that makes sense. You're acknowledging their thanks with respect.

This works well in business situations or when dealing with customers.

Situational responses that work great

Sometimes the best response to thank you relates directly to what you did. These context-specific phrases sound super natural.

Yokatta (I’m glad)

よかった means "I'm glad" or "that's good." When someone thanks you for helping them, responding with yokatta shows you're happy you could help.

This works across formality levels. You can make it more polite by saying . I really like this response because it feels warm and genuine.

Ki ni shinai de (Don’t worry about it)

The expression means "don't worry about it" or "don't mind it." This is a casual way to tell someone their thanks aren't necessary.

The more formal version is , which adds the polite "kudasai" (Please) at the end.

Mata itsudemo (Anytime)

またいつでも translates to "anytime" and implies you'd be happy to help again.

This response feels friendly and open. You can also say またいつでもどうぞ to make it slightly more polite with the "douzo" (Please) addition.

Cultural context: When to use what

Understanding when to use each expression matters just as much as knowing the phrases themselves. Japanese communication relies heavily on reading the social situation, and your response to thank you should match the context.

With friends and close colleagues: Stick to iie iie, uun uun, zenzen, or daijoubu. These casual responses keep the vibe relaxed and natural. Using dou itashimashite with close friends might make you sound like a textbook.

With acquaintances or strangers: Dou itashimashite works perfectly here. It's polite without being overly formal. Yokatta desu is also a safe choice.

In business or formal situations: Go for kyoushuku desu, osoreirimasu, or the formal version of tondemonai. These show appropriate respect and professionalism.

With superiors or elders: Err on the side of formality. Kyoushuku de gozaimasu or osoreirimasu are your best bets. Japanese culture places significant emphasis on hierarchy and age, so showing extra respect is always appreciated.

When someone thanks you profusely: Sometimes tondemonai works great because it strongly downplays your contribution. If someone is being very thankful and you want to be humble, this expression fits perfectly.

Non-verbal responses matter too

Here's something that often gets overlooked: you don't always need words to respond to thank you in Japanese. Non-verbal cues play a huge role in Japanese communication.

A slight bow while saying any of these phrases adds respect and politeness. The deeper the bow, the more formal the acknowledgment. In casual situations, even just a small nod works.

Smiling and waving your hand in a dismissive gesture while saying iie iie or zenzen is super common. This physical gesture reinforces the "oh, it was nothing" meaning behind the words.

Sometimes people just smile and nod without saying anything at all. In very casual situations with close friends, this silent acknowledgment can be enough. The relationship context makes verbal response optional.

Common mistakes to avoid

When you're learning how to respond to arigatou, watch out for these common pitfalls.

Overusing dou itashimashite: This phrase is correct, but native speakers don't use it as frequently as textbooks suggest. Mixing in other responses makes you sound more natural.

Using too casual language in formal settings: Responding to your boss with "uun uun" would be pretty inappropriate. Always consider the social hierarchy and formality level.

Forgetting the cultural context: Japanese responses to thank you often involve downplaying your contribution or showing humility. Understanding this cultural background helps you choose the right expression.

Ignoring non-verbal cues: The words you choose matter, but so does your body language. A smile, bow, or hand gesture can completely change how your response is received.

Practice makes natural

The best way to get comfortable with these responses is to practice them in real conversations. When you're watching Japanese shows or YouTube videos, pay attention to how native speakers respond to thank you in different situations. You'll start noticing patterns based on who's talking to whom and what the context is.

Try using different expressions with language exchange partners or Japanese friends. Ask them for feedback on whether your choice felt natural for the situation. Most Japanese people appreciate when learners try to understand these nuances, and they'll usually give you honest input.

Start with one or two phrases you feel comfortable with, then gradually add more to your repertoire. You don't need to master all of these expressions at once. Even just knowing when to use dou itashimashite versus iie iie will make your Japanese sound way more natural.

Anyway, if you want to practice these expressions with real Japanese content, Migaku's browser extension and app let you look up words and phrases instantly while watching shows or reading articles. Makes learning from actual conversations way more practical. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.

Context is the best teacher

Start practicing these phrases in context, pay attention to how native speakers use them, and don't stress about being perfect. Even choosing a slightly less-than-optimal response shows you're trying to engage with Japanese communication norms, and that effort matters.

One step at a time!