politeness - Can somebody explain the various words and combinations thereof used for thanking?

To my knowledge there are three words which can be used in thanking and they seem to be usable together in some combinations:

• どうも (d­ōmo)


• どうもありがとう (dōmo arigatō)


• ありがとう (arigatō)


• ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu)


• どうもありがとうございます (dōmo arigatō gozaimasu)

Are there nuances of each of these words? I know "dōmo" alone is informal and I assume the longer the combination the more formal or respectful.

Are there rules as to how they can and can't be combined? (Did I include any wrong combinations)?

Answer

You can't just gloss words like that with Japanese (i.e. Thank you = arigatou, go = iku etc.)

To express thankfulness, there is a whole palette of expressions that Japanese people use.

For example:

1. yoroshiku: said after you have asked someone a big favor and they haven't done it yet but have promised to do it.


2. tasukatta: means like "thanks man I appreciate it".


3. o-seiwa ni natta: said after someone helped you out when you were in a bind.


4. kansha shimasu: I'm truly thankful.



5. arigatou: thanks man.


6. arigatou gozaimasu: said to people you should respect.


7. o-tsukare: thanks in appreciation for someone's hard effort.


8. o-tsukare sama deshita: same as above but towards people you should respect.


9. gokuro sama: like "good job man" thanks for doing the work that you were supposed to do anyways.