10 ways to say thank you in Spanish with English translation

Thank you in Spanish is among the first things we study and learn when it comes to this language.

You may already know that the most common translation of “thank you” in Spanish is “gracias”, but what if we told you that expressing gratitude can come in different versions?

As in English, the ways to express gratitude both formally and informally can be endless.

So, we will content ourselves to show 10 forms to vocalize thanks in Spanish to you with their respective translations; thereby you will broaden your horizon from a vocabulary perspective and speak more naturally. Stay put!

THANK YOU IN SPANISH

We don’t know from what moment the word gracias became widespread. However, we know that gracias is plural for gracia (grace or even blessing, like “la gracia de Dios”, in English), which in turn comes from the Latin grātia, precisely the phrase grātiās agō, meaning “I thank” or “I express my gratitude”.

Leaving aside that it is plural for gracia, rest assured that thanking for just one thing will require that you use the plural gracias. For example:

A: Aquí tiene su cerveza. (Here you are your beer).

B: ¡Gracias! (¡Thanks!)

Moreover, gracias can possibly help you reject something without breaking anybody’s heart. For example:

A: ¿Quiere pedir de comer? (Would you like to order a meal?)

B: No, gracias. (No, thanks/thank you.)

INFORMAL WAYS TO SAY THANK YOU IN SPANISH

• MIL GRACIAS / UN MILLÓN DE GRACIAS

These forms both mean thank you very much in Spanish. Usually, if your gratitude for a favor or service is deep, this is what you say.

For example:

A: Le he traído un bocadillo. (I’ve brought this sandwich for you)

B: ¡Mil gracias! Tenía mucha hambre. (Thank you very much! I was very hungry).

• MUCHAS GRACIAS

We use this expression to say “Thanks a lot” in Spanish. We usually say this to express please and thank you in Spanish and gratitude to a higher degree than simple gracias. For example:

A: Señorita, he encontrado su billete. (Lady, I’ve found your ticket).

B: ¡Muchas gracias, señor! Pensaba que lo había perdido (Thanks a lot, sir! I thought I had lost it)

• GRACIAS DE (TODO) CORAZÓN

It translates as “thanks with all my heart” or “I wholeheartedly thank you”. If you want to express sincere and deep gratitude, this is the one you go to. For example:

¡Gracias de todo corazón, doctora Marianna, por haber salvado la vida de mi gato! (I wholeheartedly thank you, doctor Marianna, for saving my cat’s life!)

• GRACIAS + POR 

Also, you can say thank you in Spanish by attaching prepositions after the word gracias. Thus, you can make clear the reasons you are thanking someone for.

In this case, there is this formula:

• Gracias +  POR + auxiliary’s infinitive

For example:

Gracias por venir a casa. (Thanks for coming to my house).

• Gracias + POR + noun

For example:

Gracias por la información. (Thanks for the info).

FORMAL WAYS TO SAY THANK YOU IN SPANISH

• LE / OS AGRADEZCO

In Spanish, agradecer is the verb that takes over the simple “thanks” noun in a formal register.

We can express gratitude to a singular second person (tú) by saying “te agradezco” (I thank you) or more formally “le agradezco” (when we are not familiar with the person we are talking to).

Additionally, use “os agradezco” (I thank all of you) if you are thanking a group of people.

For example:

Os agradezco la invitación a la ceremonia (I thank all of you for inviting me to the ceremony).

• ES MUY GENTIL /AMABLE DE SU PARTE

Understand it as “[it is] very kind of you”.

Generally speaking, this sentence is of great good to express gratitude. Ways to use it include:

A: Le ayudo a bajar las escaleras, señorita. (Lady, I help you walk down the stairs).

B: Muy amable de su parte. (Very kind of you).

• LO AGRADEZCO MUCHO /TANTO

In English, it is said, “I appreciate it much”. It could be easily confused with the Spanish apreciar but it is a false friend; thus, use agradecer and add mucho or tanto.

If you need to express how relevant the action another person does on your behalf, this is the one for you. For example:

A: Permita que os guíe hacia la mesa. (Allow me to guide you to the table).

B: ¡Se lo agradezco mucho! (I appreciate it much).

• LE ESTOY MUY AGRADECIDO/A

It sounds like “I am very grateful to you” in the translation.

For example:

Os estoy muy agradecida por haberse encargado de mi madre. (I am very grateful for your having taken care of my mother)

• GRACIAS POR ADELANTADO

This, which means “Thank you in advance”, is a staple to end electronic or regular mail. Now that you know 10 ways to say thank you in Spanish, keep learning Spanish with us.

If you want to improve your Spanish level with one of our native and qualified Spanish tutors, try our Spanish lessons online. 

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