When learning Japanese, expressing gratitude and apology politely is essential. There are subtle differences depending on formality and context. In this post, we’ll break down four common expressions and how to use them naturally:

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1. 〜てくれてありがとう

Meaning: “Thank you for doing ~” (casual / friendly)
Used when someone does something for you, usually among friends, family, or peers.

Structure:
Verb (て-form) + くれてありがとう

Examples:

• 手伝てつだってくれてありがとう。
  Thanks for helping me.
• 来きてくれてありがとう。
  Thank you for coming.

Tip: For casual conversations, this is perfect. For more politeness, see the next form.

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2. 〜てくださってありがとうございました

Meaning: “Thank you very much for doing ~” (formal / polite)
This is a more respectful, formal version of てくれてありがとう, often used with teachers, bosses, or strangers.

Structure:
Verb (て-form) + くださってありがとうございました

Examples:

• 手伝てつだってくださってありがとうございました。
  Thank you very much for helping me.
• ご連絡れんらくくださってありがとうございました。
  Thank you very much for contacting me.

Tip: Use this in emails, speeches, or any situation where politeness matters.

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3. 〜てごめん

Meaning: “Sorry for doing ~” (casual)
Used to apologize among friends, family, or peers for a minor mistake or inconvenience.

Structure:
Verb (て-form) + ごめん

Examples:

• 遅おくれてごめん。
  Sorry for being late.
• 忘わすれてごめん。
  Sorry for forgetting.

Tip: Simple and casual. For more politeness, use てすみません or てすみませんでした.

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4. 〜てすみませんでした

Meaning: “I’m sorry for doing ~” (formal / polite)
Used when apologizing formally or for more serious matters. It’s the past tense of てすみません and shows sincerity and responsibility.

Structure:
Verb (て-form) + すみませんでした

Examples:

• 遅おくれてすみませんでした。
  I’m sorry for being late.
• 迷惑めいわくをかけてすみませんでした。
  I’m sorry for causing trouble.

Tip: Perfect for emails, workplace apologies, or formal situations.

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✅ Summary Table

Expression	Meaning	Politeness	Example
〜てくれてありがとう	Thank you for doing ~	Casual	手伝てつだってくれてありがとう。
〜てくださってありがとうございました	Thank you very much for doing ~	Formal	手伝てつだってくださってありがとうございました。
〜てごめん	Sorry for doing ~	Casual	遅おくれてごめん。
〜てすみませんでした	I’m sorry for doing ~	Formal	遅おくれてすみませんでした。

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📝 Quick Practice

A. Fill in the blank:

1. 忘わすれて ________ 。 (casual apology)
2. 教おしえて ________ 。 (casual thanks)
3. 来きて ________ 。 (formal thanks)
4. 間違まちがえて ________ 。 (formal apology)

B. Try making your own sentences using each expression.

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🌟 Conclusion

Politeness in Japanese is all about context and relationship.

• Use てくれてありがとう / てごめん for friends and family.
• Use てくださってありがとうございました / てすみませんでした in formal or professional situations.

Mastering these four phrases will make your Japanese sound natural, considerate, and respectful. Practice regularly, and soon expressing gratitude and apology will become second nature!l but powerful step toward natural, polite Japanese. These expressions show that you notice others’ actions and care about your impact on them. With regular practice, saying “thank you” and “sorry” in the right way will start to feel completely natural—making your conversations warmer and more respectful every time.

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