When acquiring a new language, you should always aim to be polite. But sometimes a simple thanks is not enough. Maybe you want to know the difference between thanking a friend and a coworker. Or you want to express your sincere gratitude for something very meaningful to you.
Here is a list of all the ways a fluent speaker should know to say thank you in Spanish. Included are formal and informal, simple and heartfelt thanks, and other ways to express your appreciation.
Related Post: Ways to Say You’re Welcome in Spanish
Ways to Say “Thank You” in Spanish
1. Gracias
If you want to express gratitude in Spanish, this is the most basic way: Gracias. A fool-proof option that applies in all situations, whether formal or informal.
—¿Te ayudo a cargar tu maleta?
—Sí, gracias.
2. Muchas gracias
To say thank you very much in Spanish, try out this phrase. Muchas gracias roughly translates to “many thanks.” If you want to emphasize just how grateful you are, add the superlative -ísima and turn it into Muchísimas gracias.
—Has sido una gran ayuda, ¡muchísimas gracias!
3. Mil gracias
Another way to convey excessive gratitude. Mil gracias literally means “a thousand thanks.” Test it out in a conversation between friends to sound less like a textbook and more like a fluent speaker.
—¿Te sirvió la receta del pastel?
—Sí, estuvo divino. ¡Mil gracias!
4. Te lo agradezco
Te lo agradezco translates to “I thank you for this.” This way of thanking someone in Spanish is useful when you want to be polite and respectful. To elevate the phrase into formal language, say Se lo agradezco instead.
—Ya le envié un e-mail con los presupuestos.
—Qué útil, se lo agradezco.
5. ¡Qué amable!
A natural, off-hand way to say thank you in Spanish. This is a shortened version of the phrase Qué amable eres, or Qué amable es, and means “How kind (you are)!” It suits best when someone helps you with an unexpected favor or an extra courtesy.
6. Muy amable de tu parte
An eloquent variation on the previous phrase, this one means “Very kind on your part.” You are expressing your gratitude by complimenting the other person’s generous nature. When speaking to a social superior or a stranger, try this formal version: Muy amable de su parte.
—Disculpe profesor, ¿necesita ayuda con el PowerPoint?
—Sí, por favor. Muy amable de tu parte.
7. Se agradece
This way of saying thank you in Spanish roughly translates to “It is welcomed” or “It is appreciated.” Commonly used as a way to express thanks on behalf of a large group, such as a company or the general public.
—Se agradece la participación de todos los alumnos en el festival de la universidad.
8. Te debo una
If you want to thank a friend, test out this phrase that means “I owe you one.”
Depending on the country, you can add the local variation of slang for “dude” or “mate” at the end. In Spain, this would be Te debo una, tío (or tía, for women). If you want to say thank you very much in Mexican Spanish, go for Te debo una, güey (güey is pronounced “wey”).
9. Te debo en grande
A variation on the previous phrase translates to “I owe you a huge favor” or “I owe you big time.” Reserve this way of saying thank you for the type of helpful gestures that demand repayment.
—No te preocupes, te presto mi carro este fin de semana.
—¿En serio? ¡Te debo en grande, amigo!
10. Me alegraste el día
An option to say thank you very much in Spanish that means “You’ve made my day.” Use this phrase between social equals, like coworkers, friends, or family members.
—Espera, que te traigo un café.
—Ay, me alegraste el día.
11. Me has salvado la vida
A dramatic flair best accompanies this version of thank you in Spanish. It directly translates to “You’ve saved my life.” Practice saying this when someone has thrown you a lifeline, like working late to help you meet a deadline.
12. Salvaste mi día
A commonly used mash-up of the previous two phrases. Translated into English, it means “You’ve saved my day.” Similar to Me alegraste el día and Me has salvado la vida, this expression has a playful sentiment behind it.
—Tómate una siesta y yo cuido de los niños un rato.
—Salvaste mi día.
13. Eres un ángel
A compliment of the highest order translates to “You are an angel.” Best reserved for informal settings, this a rather funny and flirty way to say thank you in Spanish.
—¿Quieres un chocolate? Traje Ferrero.
—Ay, eres un ángel.
14. ¡No sé qué decir!
If your friend’s kindness has left you speechless, this is the phrase for you. It literally means, “I don’t know what to say!”
15. ¿Qué haría yo sin ti?
A Spanish expression that translates to “What would I do without you?” This phrase tells the other person that their support is indispensable to you.
16. ¡Te pasaste!
Did your friend go above and beyond to help you out? Or maybe they got you an expensive gift? In this context, this versatile expression roughly translates to “This is too much!” or “You’ve outdone yourself!”
—¿Te gusta tu pulsera nueva? La hice yo.
—¡Te pasaste!
17. Estoy muy agradecido/a
Memorize this standard phrase that means “I am very grateful.” You can easily work it into conversations with work colleagues or strangers. Take care to choose the option that best reflects your gender identity.
18. Le doy las gracias
A straightforward way to say thank you in Spanish that literally means “l offer you thanks.” Perfect for formal settings, like a meeting at the workplace. Just remember to adjust the singular pronoun to the plural (Les).
—Compañeros, les doy las gracias por asegurar que este proyecto sea un éxito.
19. Gracias de todos modos
A phrase that translates to “Thanks all the same.” Use in situations where a favor does not work out, but you still appreciate the other person’s effort.
—Lo siento, pero no conseguí entradas para el concierto.
—¡Gracias de todos modos!
20. Te agradezco de todo corazón
If you want to indicate your profound appreciation, consider choosing this expression. It means, “I thank you with my whole heart.” To elevate it into a formal conversation, remember to say Le agradezco de todo corazón.
—Carlos, te agradezco de todo corazón por todos tus consejos de vida.
21. Le agradezco humildemente
A very respectful way to express your gratitude in Spanish is Le agradezco humildemente. This phrase works best in a formal written text, like a letter to a mentor or a thank-you speech. It directly translates to “I thank you humbly.”
—Le agradezco humildemente a todos mis colegas por este reconocimiento de mi trabajo.
22. ¿Cómo puedo agradecerte?
¿Cómo puedo agradecerte? is a rhetorical question that means, “How can I thank you?” It sounds most sincere when a favor is particularly meaningful to you.
—¡Sorpresa! Vamos a visitar a tu familia para las navidades.
—Esto es demasiado, ¿cómo puedo agradecerte?
23. Gracias de antemano
A formal way of saying “Thank you in advance” in Spanish. This expression is rarely used in conversation, but it frequently appears in the e-mail. Try using it after requesting help or information.
—Por favor, ¿me indica el precio de alquilar del apartamento? ¿Incluye luz, gas y agua? Gracias de antemano.
How to Say “Thank You Very Much” to a Man Versus a Woman
Usually, saying thank you very much in Spanish to a man does not differ from speaking to a woman. This is because the second-person pronoun “you” is genderless. For example, you would say Te lo agradezco or Le doy las gracias regardless of gender.
A rare case where gender does matter is the phrase Eres el/la mejor, which means “You are the best.” To say thank you very much in Spanish to a woman, you need to say Eres la mejor.
If you cannot remember which article to use, test out phrases that use the gender-neutral article Lo. You can use it in the expressions Eres lo mejor and Eres lo máximo (“You are the ultimate”).
Most Common Ways to Say Thank You in Spanish
- Gracias
- Muchas gracias
- Te agradezco
- Lo aprecio
- Eres lo mejor
Formal Ways to Say Thank You in Spanish
- Se agradece
- Muy amable de su parte
- Le agradezco humildemente
- Le doy muchas gracias
- Acepte mi agradecimiento
Heartfelt Ways to Say Thank You in Spanish
- Muchísimas gracias
- Te agradezco de todo corazón
- Realmente lo aprecio
- Gracias, desde el fondo de mi corazón
- ¿Cómo puedo agradecerte?
Thank You in Spanish Slang
- Mil gracias
- Un millón de gracias
- Te debo una
- Te debo en grande
- Eres lo máximo
How to Respond to Thank You in Spanish
If someone thanks you in Spanish, the simplest reply is always De nada. This literally means, “It was nothing.” However, you can expand your vocabulary and check out more ways to say you’re welcome in Spanish.
How to Say “No Thank You” in Spanish
The easiest way to say “No, thank you” in Spanish is No, gracias. It works in every setting, from rejecting a free sample at a store to a drink at the bar.
Other Common Useful Phrases in Spanish
- Estoy bien, gracias -I’m fine, thank you
- Me encuentro bien, gracias – I’m good, thank you
- Gracias, te quiero – Thank you, I love you
- Gracias, te extraño – Thank you, I miss you
- Gracias, igualmente – Thank you, same to you
- Gracias, te aprecio – Thank you, I appreciate you
- Muchísimas gracias, mi amigo – Thank you very much, my friend
- Gracias por toda tu ayuda – Thank you for all your help
- Gracias por todo – Thank you for everything
Final Thoughts
Good manners are useful in all parts of the world, especially among Hispanic cultures. If you already know the basics, focus on learning phrases that work in casual and formal settings. If you are a beginner, do not worry about making mistakes.
It doesn’t matter if you are in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Spain or some other Spanish-speaking country when saying these thank you phrases. The most important thing is just to practice and keep going with it!
✓This article has been approved by a native Spanish speaker from Spain.
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and founder of TPR Teaching, crafting inspiring pieces that promote the importance of developing new skills. For 7 years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.
