What is domo arigato?

"Domo arigato" is a Japanese phrase meaning "thank you very much." It is a casual yet polite form of expressing gratitude in the Japanese language. The word "domo" adds emphasis, thus making "arigato" (which means "thank you") stronger, translating closer to "thank you very much" in English.

In popular culture, "domo arigato" is widely recognized outside Japan, partly due to the 1983 song "Mr. Roboto" by the American rock band Styx. The song features the phrase "Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto" and became a memorable part of the chorus, contributing to the popularity of the expression in Western countries.

It's important to note that while "domo arigato" is a respectful way to say thank you, Japanese has even more formal expressions of gratitude, such as "arigato gozaimasu" or "domo arigato gozaimasu," used in more formal situations.