A1 Expression Formel

いいえ、どういたしまして

iie, douitashimashite

You're welcome; Not at all

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A standard, polite way to respond when someone says 'thank you' in Japanese.

  • Means: You are welcome; it was nothing.
  • Used in: Formal business settings or with strangers.
  • Don't confuse: Do not use with close friends; it sounds too stiff.
Polite bow + humble smile = social harmony

Explanation at your level:

This is the standard way to say 'You're welcome' in Japanese. Use it when someone says thank you to you in a formal setting.
It is a humble expression. By saying it, you are showing respect to the other person by downplaying your own helpful actions.
This phrase utilizes humble language (kenjougo). It is essential for navigating social hierarchies in Japan, as it effectively manages the 'debt' of gratitude between speakers.
As a fixed expression, it functions as a social lubricant. It is highly conventionalized, meaning its usage is less about the literal meaning and more about signaling adherence to social norms.
The phrase demonstrates the intersection of linguistic humility and social pragmatics. It serves to neutralize the power imbalance created by a favor, reinforcing the egalitarian nature of polite social exchange.
From a cognitive linguistic perspective, this phrase functions as a ritualized 'face-saving' mechanism. It minimizes the speaker's agency in the helpful act, thereby preserving the 'face' of the recipient by reducing their perceived burden of obligation.

Signification

A polite response to 'thank you,' meaning 'it was nothing.'

🌍

Contexte culturel

Modesty is key. Never accept thanks with 'You're right, I am great'.

💡

Keep it simple

Just say the phrase clearly.

Signification

A polite response to 'thank you,' meaning 'it was nothing.'

💡

Keep it simple

Just say the phrase clearly.

Teste-toi

Which is the most polite response to 'Arigatou'?

A: Arigatou. B: ...

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : いいえ、どういたしまして

This is the standard polite response.

🎉 Score : /1

Aides visuelles

Questions fréquentes

1 questions

Yes, it is perfect.

Expressions liées

🔄

とんでもない

synonym

Not at all/It's nothing

Où l'utiliser

💼

Office Help

Colleague: 手伝ってくれてありがとう。

You: いいえ、どういたしまして。

formal
🛍️

Shopkeeper

Customer: ありがとう。

Clerk: いいえ、どういたしまして。

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Do it a she mash it'—you 'do it' and 'mash it' away because you are too humble to take credit.

Visual Association

Imagine a person bowing slightly while waving their hand dismissively, as if brushing away a compliment.

Rhyme

For 'thank you' you say, 'Douitashimashite' all day.

Story

Kenji helped his boss with a report. The boss said 'Arigatou'. Kenji bowed and said 'Douitashimashite' to show he was happy to help.

Word Web

ありがとういいえどういたす謙譲語丁寧

Défi

Use this phrase 3 times today in a roleplay or with a native speaker.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

De nada

Japanese is more formal.

French high

De rien

French is less hierarchical.

German moderate

Bitte

Japanese has specific humble verbs.

Japanese high

どういたしまして

It is highly formal.

Arabic moderate

عفواً (Afwan)

Japanese is more specific to gratitude.

Easily Confused

いいえ、どういたしまして vs いいえ

Learners think it only means 'no'.

It also acts as a polite filler.

FAQ (1)

Yes, it is perfect.

C'tait utile ?

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