Replying to thanks
Conversation phrases, Stage 1chunk 67 of 68Greetings, thanks and sorry
Lets you brush off thanks or praise.
- ie ieno, no; not at all
- otagaisama da yowe're in the same boat; no need to thank me
- tondemonainot at all (reply to thanks or praise); outrageous
- douitashimashiteyou're welcome
Mix-ups douitashimashite sounds stiff between friends; ie ie is the natural reply.
ie ie
no, no; not at all
The everyday reply to thanks, an apology or praise; friendly and fits almost anyone.
Far more common in real life than douitashimashite.
ie ie, ki ni shinaide.
No, no, don't worry about it.
いえいえ、気にしないで。
ie ie, ki ni shinaide kudasai.
Not at all, please don't worry about it.
いえいえ、気にしないでください。
Written いえいえWho you say itHeard 137× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
otagaisama da yo
polite otagaisama desu yo
we're in the same boat; no need to thank me
Your reply when someone thanks you or apologizes for a favour: we all help each other, so don't worry.
Also said when both sides share the blame or the hardship: 'it's the same for both of us'.
ki ni shinaide. otagaisama da yo.
Don't worry about it. We all help each other out.
気にしないで。お互い様だよ。
iie, komatta toki wa otagaisama desu yo.
Not at all, we all need help sometimes.
いいえ、困った時はお互い様ですよ。
Written お互い様だよ · おたがいさまだよ · お互い様ですよWho you say it and hear itHeard 74× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
tondemonai
polite tondemonai desu
not at all (reply to thanks or praise); outrageous
A humble brush-off of thanks or praise, stronger than ie ie.
Before a noun it means outrageous or terrible: tondemonai koto ni natta (things got crazy).
tondemonai, tasukerareta no wa kotchi da yo.
Not at all, you're the one who helped me.
とんでもない、助けられたのはこっちだよ。
tondemonai desu. kochira koso tasukarimashita.
Not at all. You helped me more.
とんでもないです。こちらこそ助かりました。
Written とんでもない · とんでもないですWho you say it and hear itHeard 661× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
douitashimashite
you're welcome
The textbook reply to thanks; real speakers often prefer ie ie, which sounds less stiff.
Can sound as if you agree you did a big favour.
douitashimashite. mata nanka attara itte ne.
You're welcome. Let me know if you need anything else.
どういたしまして。またなんかあったら言ってね。
douitashimashite. mata nanika attara itsu demo itte kudasai.
You're welcome. Just ask anytime you need something.
どういたしまして。また何かあったらいつでも言ってください。
Written どういたしましてWho you say itHeard 499× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles