When exactly should I use V-て + くれてありがとう?

Use this pattern specifically when someone performs an action or favor that benefits you (the speaker), and you want to express gratitude for that specific action. It's for thanking someone for the service or kind deed they did for you.

Can I use this pattern for things that were given to me, not actions? For example, if someone gave me a gift?

No, you don't use V-て + くれてありがとう (or くださってありがとうございます) to thank someone for giving you a physical object or something tangible. This pattern is strictly for actions or favors performed. To thank someone for a gift, you would typically just say 「ありがとうございます」 (Arigatou gozaimasu) or specifically mention the item, like 「プレゼント、ありがとうございます」 (Purezento, arigatou gozaimasu - Thank you for this present).

Can I use this pattern for things that happened in the past?

Yes, absolutely! This pattern is most commonly used to thank someone after they have completed the action or favor. You are expressing gratitude for something they did. Example: あのときは、助たすけてくださってありがとうございました。= Thank you very much for helping me at that time.

How to Say “Thank You for Doing” in Japanese

contents

Introduction
1. Grammar Structure
2. How to Form It
3. Polite Version: 〜てくださってありがとうございます
4. Example Sentences
5. Practice Time!
6. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
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Introduction

Want to say “Thank you for doing something” in Japanese?
When someone helps you, teaches you, or shows kindness through an action, you can express your gratitude using:

👉 V-て + くれてありがとう

Let’s learn how to use this natural and warm expression to say thank you in everyday situations!

1. Grammar Structure

Pattern: Verb (て-form) + くれてありがとう
= Thank you for [doing something for me]

This pattern is used when someone does something for you and you want to thank them for it.

Example	Meaning
手伝てつだってくれてありがとう。	Thank you for helping me.
本ほんを貸かしてくれてありがとう。	Thank you for lending me the book.
スペイン語ごを教おしえてくれてありがとう。	Thank you for teaching me Spanish.

2. How to Form It

Take the verb and conjugate it into the て-form
Add くれてありがとう

Verb	て-form	Expression
手伝てつだう (to help)	手伝って	手伝ってくれてありがとう
貸かす (to lend)	貸して	貸してくれてありがとう
呼よぶ (to invite/call)	呼んで	呼んでくれてありがとう

💡 Use this pattern when you’re talking to friends, family, or people close to you in a casual context.

3. Polite Version: 〜てくださってありがとうございます

In a situation where you need to speak politely (talking an older person, seniors, strangers etc.), you should use “くださってありがとうございます” instead of “くれてありがとう”.

Example	Meaning
ごはんをごちそうしてくださってありがとうございます。	Thank you very much for treating me to a meal. (Said to a boss; polite and respectful expression of gratitude.)
コンサートのチケットを予約よやくしてくださってありがとうございます。	Thank you very much for reserving the concert ticket for me. (Said to a senior; polite way to show appreciation for the favor.)
街まちを案内あんないしてくださってありがとうございます。	Thank you very much for showing me around the city. (Said to a stranger met while traveling; courteous and warm.)

「くれて (kurete)」: Used between friends, family, close colleagues, or people of equal or lower status when the action benefits the speaker.
「くださって (kudasatte)」: Used towards superiors (teachers, bosses), elders, strangers, or in more formal/public settings when the action benefits the speaker.

Use this form when you want to sound especially respectful.

4. Example Sentences

Two university students are talking after class. One of them borrowed a pen the day before.

Ken

昨日きのう、ボールペンを貸かしてくれてありがとう。助たすかったよ。
Thanks for lending me a pen yesterday. That really helped.

Yumi

どういたしまして！
No problem!

Two coworkers are chatting at the office after finishing a team project.

Koki

プレゼン資料しりょう、手伝てつだってくれてありがとう。
Thanks for helping me with the presentation materials.

Saori

気きにしないで。困こまった時ときはお互たがい様さまだよ。
No worries. We help each other out when we’re in trouble.

A university student who is job hunting visits a company. After a company employee gives them a workplace tour, the student expresses appreciation politely.

Ken

職場しょくばを案内あんないしてくださってありがとうございました。
Thank you very much for showing me around your workplace.

Koki

いえいえ。お役やくに立たてて良よかったです。
Not at all. I’m glad I could be of help.

5. Practice Time!

Try making your own “thank you” sentences using V-て + くれてありがとう and V-て + くださってありがとうございます.

Situation	Sentence
Your friend taught you piano	ピアノを教おしえてくれてありがとう。
Your friend drove you to the airport	空港くうこうまで送おくってくれてありがとう。
Your boss booked concert tickets	コンサートのチケットを予約よやくしてくださってありがとうございます。
Your friend helped with your homework	宿題しゅくだいを手伝てつだってくれてありがとう。
Your colleague invited you to a party	パーティーに招待しょうたいしてくれてありがとう。

🎯 Try 3 original sentences: 1 casual, 1 polite, and 1 from anime!

6. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Q When exactly should I use V-て + くれてありがとう?: A
Use this pattern specifically when someone performs an action or favor that benefits you (the speaker), and you want to express gratitude for that specific action. It’s for thanking someone for the service or kind deed they did for you.

Q Can I use this pattern for things that were given to me, not actions? For example, if someone gave me a gift?: A
No, you don’t use V-て + くれてありがとう (or くださってありがとうございます) to thank someone for giving you a physical object or something tangible. This pattern is strictly for actions or favors performed. To thank someone for a gift, you would typically just say 「ありがとうございます」 (Arigatou gozaimasu) or specifically mention the item, like 「プレゼント、ありがとうございます」 (Purezento, arigatou gozaimasu – Thank you for this present).

Q What’s the key difference between くれてありがとう (kurete arigatou) and くださってありがとうございます (kudasatte arigatou gozaimasu)?

The core meaning (“thank you for doing [action] for me”) is the same, but the level of politeness is different.

くれてありがとう (kurete arigatou): Casual, used with friends, family, people younger than you, or close colleagues.
くださってありがとうございます (kudasatte arigatou gozaimasu): Polite/Formal, used with superiors (teachers, bosses), elders, strangers, or in situations requiring more respect. Always err on the side of using the polite form if you are unsure.

Q Can I use this pattern for things that happened in the past?: A
Yes, absolutely! This pattern is most commonly used to thank someone after they have completed the action or favor. You are expressing gratitude for something they did. Example: あのときは、助たすけてくださってありがとうございました。= Thank you very much for helping me at that time.

Q How should I respond if someone says V-て + くれてありがとう (or くださってありがとうございます) to me?

The most direct translation for “You’re welcome” in Japanese is 「どういたしまして」 (Dōitashimashite). This is a standard and perfectly acceptable response in most situations, especially polite ones. However, in casual situations or to sound more humble and natural, especially among friends or family, you might also hear or use alternatives like:

「いえいえ」 (Ie ie): Similar to “No, no” or “Don’t mention it.”
「とんでもないです」 (Tondemonai desu) or 「とんでもない」 (Tondemonai): Means “Not at all,” or “Don’t be silly,” implying the favor was no big deal.
「大丈夫ですよ」 (Daijōbu desu yo): Meaning “It’s fine” or “No problem.”
「気にしないでください」 (Ki ni shinaide kudasai): Means “Please don’t worry about it.”
「お役に立ててよかったです」 (O-yaku ni tatete yokatta desu): A polite way to say “I’m glad I could help.”

Conclusion

Now you can:

✅ Use V-て + くれてありがとう to say thank you for kind actions
✅ Choose the polite version V-て + くださってありがとうございます for formal settings
✅ Understand how to express sincere gratitude in Japanese — just like in anime and real life

🎯 What’s something kind someone did for you recently?
Say thank you in Japanese using this new grammar pattern!

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