Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Thank" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "thank", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
いただきます
いただきます (itadakimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
慰労
いろう (irō)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "thank" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between いただきます and 慰労.
In Japanese, いただきます (いただきます (itadakimasu)) is typically associated with "Thank you for the meal (before eating); I humbly receive" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents A polite phrase said before eating or drinking, or when receiving something, expressing gratitude. It implies 'I humbly receive this food/drink/item'..
On the other hand, 慰労 (いろう (irō)) maps to "to thank/reward for hard work, to express appreciation for efforts" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents Expressing appreciation or gratitude for someone's hard work and effort, often after a demanding period or project, acknowledging their fatigue and thanking them.. A literal translation of "thank" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "いただきます"
食事の前に「いただきます」と言います。
I say "Itadakimasu" before a meal.
Bilingual Context for "慰労"
長いプロジェクトが終わった後、社員を慰労するパーティーが開かれた。
After the long project finished, a party was held to thank the employees for their hard work.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "食事の前に「 ＿＿＿ 」と言います。" (Meaning: "I say "Itadakimasu" before a meal.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "いただきます" fits here because it means "Thank you for the meal (before eating); I humbly receive" in the context of: "I say "Itadakimasu" before a meal.". "慰労" represents "to thank/reward for hard work, to express appreciation for efforts".