75 ways to say 'thank you' around the world (Video)

From the Windy City to the world’s wildest wildernesses, thoughtful thanks in a variety of languages can spread goodwill. Gratitude is pretty universally appreciated, particularly when it is sincere.

Thanks may be demonstrated by deeds.

As the old saying goes, actions speak louder than words. It's actually true. If you really want to express appreciation to someone, why not come up with a thoughtful gesture?

Most traditional and friendly communications of gratitude may be understood around the world. For example, you might offer a handshake or a hug to a person you appreciate. You could simply smile, nod, and look someone in the eye to convey your thanks.

Gestures of gratitude are usually welcomed worldwide. For instance, if you are pleased with someone, you might write a thank-you note. You might decide to give or send flowers to a special person to display your thankfulness. Or you could try to find a meaningful favor you could do for someone one day to return a favor.

Another way to express appreciation is far simpler. You could just give someone a pat on the back after he or she has helped you somehow.

A thankful expression may be multi-lingual.

Around the world, each language has its own way of saying thanks. For those who must resort to actual words to communicate sincere appreciation, here are 75 ways to express gratitude in different languages worldwide.

In many cases, spellings have been Anglicized for phonetic purposes.

  1. Afrikaans: Dankie
  2. Albanian: Ju falem nderit
  3. Apache: Ashoge
  4. Arabic: Shukran
  5. Armenian: Shnorhagallem
  6. Azerbaijani: Sag olun
  7. Balinese: Matu suksama
  8. Bashkir: Rekhmet
  9. Belorussian: Dziakuju
  10. Bengali: Dhanyabad
  11. Blackfoot: Nitsíniiyi'taki
  12. Bosnian: Hvala
  13. Bulgarian: Mersi
  14. Cantonese: Doh je
  15. Cherokee: Wa'-do
  16. Cheyenne: Néá'eshe
  17. Choctaw: Yokoke
  18. Comanche: Urako
  19. Croatian: Hvala
  20. Czech: Dêkuji
  21. Dakota: Pidamayado
  22. Danish: Tak
  23. Dutch: Dank u
  24. Farsi: Tashakkur
  25. Finnish: Kiitos
  26. French: Merci
  27. German: Vielen Dank
  28. Greek: Efcharisto
  29. Hawaiian: Mahalo
  30. Hebrew: Toda
  31. Hindi: Shukriya
  32. Hungarian: Köszönöm
  33. Icelandic: Takk
  34. Indonesian: Makasih
  35. Irish: Go raibh maith agat
  36. Italian: Grazie
  37. Japanese: Arigato
  38. Korean: Komapsumnida
  39. Kurdi: Shukur
  40. Latin: Gratia
  41. Latvian: Paldies
  42. Lithuanian: Achiu
  43. Malaysian: Terima kasih
  44. Mandarin: Xie xie
  45. Navajo: Ahéhee'
  46. Nepali: Dhanyabaad
  47. Nez Perce: Qe'ci'yew'yew'
  48. Norwegian: takker De
  49. Polish: Dziekuje
  50. Portuguese: Obrigado
  51. Potawatomi: Iwgwien
  52. Punjabi: Shukria
  53. Romanian: Multumesc
  54. Russian: спасибо
  55. Samoan: Fa'afetai
  56. Scottish: Thenk ye
  57. Serbian: Hvala lepa
  58. Sherpan: Thuchi chea
  59. Sicilian: Grazzii
  60. Slovakian: Dakujem vám
  61. Slovenian: Hvala
  62. Somalian: Mahad sanid
  63. Spanish: Gracias
  64. Swedish: Jag tackar
  65. Tagalog: Salamot
  66. Tahitian: Mauruuru
  67. Thai: Khawp khun
  68. Tibetan: Tujechhe
  69. Turkish: Tesekkür ederim
  70. Ukrainian: Dyakooyu
  71. Uzbeki: Tashakkur
  72. Vietnamese: Cám ón
  73. Welsh: Diolch
  74. Yiddish: A dank aych
  75. Zulu: Ngiyabonga

Let’s be grateful – all around the world! After all, when it comes to saying, “thank you” with meaning, it is difficult to go wrong in any language.

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, Chicago Etiquette Examiner

Linda Ann Nickerson wears many hats, including those of a journalist, photographer, parent, manners maven, promotional consultant, editor, public relations counselor, and more. An award-winning poet and prolific writer, Linda Ann writes multiple Examiner columns and blogs at Practically at Home,...

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