How to Say Thank You in Different Languages
One of the best ways to connect with people when traveling is by learning a few basic phrases the local language. Whether you’re sipping coffee at a Parisian café, hiking through the Swiss Alps, or chatting with locals in the Croatian countryside, a heartfelt “thank you” in the local language goes a long way. Personally, I always try to learn how to say hello, goodbye, thank you, cheers, and toilet in the local language (that last one can be very important!). Knowing a few basic phrases in the local language helps shows respect, appreciation, and a willingness to embrace the culture around you.
In this guide, we’re diving into how to say thank you in many languages spoken across Western and Eastern Europe—and, because you can never have too many language skills, I’ve thrown in a few bonus regions within European countries. From the more commonly known merci in France to the slightly trickier köszönöm in Hungary, this list of thank you in different languages has you covered for all situations. Whether you’re on the road or planning your next adventure, knowing how to say thank you in other languages is an important part of any trip.
So, before you jet off on your next European adventure, take a minute to learn a few of these!
Table of Contents
Albania 🇦🇱
Language: Albanian
How to Say Thank You in Albanian:
- Formal/Informal: Faleminderit (FAH-leh-meen-DEH-reet) — Used universally to say “thank you.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦
Language: Bosnian
How to Say Thank You in Bosnian:
- Formal/Informal: Hvala (HVAH-lah) — The common way to say “thank you.”
Bulgaria 🇧🇬
Language: Bulgarian
How to Say Thank You in Bulgarian:
- Formal: Blagodarya (blah-goh-dah-RYAH) — A more formal expression of gratitude.
- Informal: Mersi (mehr-SEE) — A casual “thanks.”
Croatia 🇭🇷
Language: Croatian
How to Say Thank You in Croatian:
- Formal/Informal: Hvala (HVAH-lah) — Used for both formal and informal situations.
Czech Republic 🇨🇿
Language: Czech
How to Say Thank You in Czech:
- Formal: Děkuji (DYEH-koo-yee) — A polite “thank you.”
- Informal: Díky (DEE-kee) — A casual “thanks.”
Denmark 🇩🇰
Language: Danish
How to Say Thank You in Danish:
- Formal/Informal: Tak (tahk) — A simple “thank you” used universally.
Estonia 🇪🇪
Language: Estonian
How to Say Thank You in Estonian:
- Formal/Informal: Aitäh (eye-TAH) — Used in both formal and informal settings.
Faroe Islands 🇫🇴
Language: Faroese
How to Say Thank You in Faroese:
- Formal/Informal: Takk (tahk) — Used for saying “thank you” in all settings.
Finland 🇫🇮
Language: Finnish
How to Say Thank You in Finnish:
- Formal/Informal: Kiitos (KEE-tos) — A standard “thank you” for all situations.
France 🇫🇷
Language: French
How to Say Thank You in French:
- Formal: Merci beaucoup (mehr-SEE boo-KOO) — A more formal way to say “thank you very much.”
- Informal: Merci (mehr-SEE) — A simple “thanks.”
Germany 🇩🇪
Language: German
How to Say Thank You in German:
- Formal: Vielen Dank (FEE-len dahnk) — A formal “thank you.”
- Informal: Danke (DAHN-kuh) — A casual “thanks.”
Greece 🇬🇷
Language: Greek
How to Say Thank You in Greek:
- Formal/Informal: Ευχαριστώ (Ef-hah-ree-STOH) — Used universally in both formal and informal settings to express “thank you.”
Greenland 🇬🇱
Language: Greenlandic
How to Say Thank You in Greenlandic:
- Formal/Informal: Qujanaq (koo-yah-NAHK) — Used in both formal and informal settings.
Hungary 🇭🇺
Language: Hungarian
How to Say Thank You in Hungarian:
- Formal: Köszönöm (KÖH-söh-nöm) — A polite “thank you.”
- Informal: Köszi (KÖH-see) — A casual “thanks.”
Iceland 🇮🇸
Language: Icelandic
How to Say Thank You in Icelandic:
- Formal/Informal: Takk (tahk) — Used for both formal and informal settings.
Ireland 🇮🇪
Language: Irish Gaelic
How to Say Thank You in Irish Gaelic:
- Formal/Informal: Go raibh maith agat (guh rev mah ah-GUHT) — Used for all situations.
Italy 🇮🇹
Language: Italian
How to Say Thank You in Italian:
- Formal: Grazie mille (GRAH-tsyeh MEEL-leh) — A formal way to say “thank you very much.”
- Informal: Grazie (GRAH-tsyeh) — A simple “thanks.”
Lapland (Norway, Sweden, Finland) 🇳🇴🇸🇪🇫🇮
Language: Sami
How to Say Thank You in Sami:
- Formal/Informal: Giitu (GEE-too) — A universal “thank you.”
Latvia 🇱🇻
Language: Latvian
How to Say Thank You in Latvian:
- Formal/Informal: Paldies (pahl-DYEHS) — Used in both formal and informal situations.
Lithuania 🇱🇹
Language: Lithuanian
How to Say Thank You in Lithuanian:
- Formal/Informal: Ačiū (AH-choo) — Used universally for both formal and informal settings.
Luxembourg 🇱🇺
Language: Luxembourgish
How to Say Thank You in Luxembourgish:
- Formal/Informal: Merci (mehr-SEE) — Used for both formal and informal settings.
Montenegro 🇲🇪
Language: Montenegrin
How to Say Thank You in Montenegrin:
- Formal/Informal: Hvala (HVAH-lah) — The standard way to say “thank you.”
Netherlands 🇳🇱
Language: Dutch
How to Say Thank You in Dutch:
- Formal: Dank u wel (dahnk oo vel) — A formal “thank you.”
- Informal: Bedankt (beh-DAHNKT) — A casual “thanks.”
Norway 🇳🇴
Language: Norwegian
How to Say Thank You in Norwegian:
- Formal/Informal: Takk (tahk) — Used universally for “thank you.”
Poland 🇵🇱
Language: Polish
How to Say Thank You in Polish:
- Formal: Dziękuję (jen-KOO-yeh) — A polite “thank you.”
- Informal: Dzięki (JEN-kee) — A casual “thanks.”
Portugal 🇵🇹
Language: Portuguese
How to Say Thank You in Portuguese:
- Formal: Muito obrigado/a (MOY-toh oh-bree-GAH-doh/dah) — A formal “thank you.”
- Informal: Obrigado/a (oh-bree-GAH-doh/dah) — Used for both formal and informal situations, with the gender distinction.
Romania 🇷🇴
Language: Romanian
How to Say Thank You in Romanian:
- Formal/Informal: Mulțumesc (mool-tsoo-MESK) — Used universally to say “thank you.”
Scotland 🇬🇧
Language: Scottish Gaelic
How to Say Thank You in Scottish Gaelic:
- Formal/Informal: Tapadh leat (TAH-pah lat) — Used in both formal and informal situations.
Slovakia 🇸🇰
Language: Slovak
How to Say Thank You in Slovak:
- Formal: Ďakujem (JAH-koo-yem) — A polite “thank you.”
- Informal: Díky (DEE-kee) — A casual “thanks.”
Slovenia 🇸🇮
Language: Slovene
How to Say Thank You in Slovene:
- Formal: Hvala lepa (HVAH-lah LEH-pah) — A formal way to say “thank you very much.”
- Informal: Hvala (HVAH-lah) — A simple “thanks.”
Spain (Basque Country)
Language: Basque
How to Say Thank You in Basque:
- Formal/Informal: Eskerrik asko (es-KEH-reek AH-sko) — Used in both formal and informal settings.
Spain (Catalonia)
Language: Catalan
How to Say Thank You in Catalan:
- Formal/Informal: Gràcies (GRAH-see-es) — Used universally for both formal and informal settings.
Spain 🇪🇸
Language: Spanish
How to Say Thank You in Spanish:
- Formal: Muchas gracias (MOO-chahs GRAH-syahs) — A formal “thank you very much.”
- Informal: Gracias (GRAH-syahs) — A simple “thanks.”
Sweden 🇸🇪
Language: Swedish
How to Say Thank You in Swedish:
- Formal/Informal: Tack (tahk) — Used universally for both formal and informal settings.
United Kingdom (Cornwall)
Language: Cornish
How to Say Thank You in Cornish:
- Formal/Informal: Meur ras (MYOOR rahs) — Used for both formal and informal situations.
United Kingdom (Wales)
Language: Welsh
How to Say Thank You in Welsh:
- Formal/Informal: Diolch (DEE-olkh) — Used universally to say “thank you.”
Now you’ve got the inside scoop on how to say “thank you” in other languages spoken across Europe and beyond. Whether it’s a formal setting where you want to show some extra respect or just a casual “thanks” to a friendly local, knowing how to say thank you in different languages can really transform your travel experience.
It’s amazing how a simple phrase can break barriers and open up new connections. The next time you’re in a café in Italy or hopping on a train in Slovakia, you’ll be ready to show your appreciation like a pro. Plus, being able to say thank you in many languages just adds another layer to your travel memories—it’s those little moments of connection that make all the difference.
So go on, get out there, and sprinkle some gratitude wherever you go.