How to say thank you in a letter?

kamome · (#1 (**permalink**))

Hello everyone. I have just returned from Japan and would like to send a small present for a family who let me stay in their house for a couple of days. I have been wondering whether there is any common phrase you should use when writing a thankyou letter. I would like to write something like: I enjoyed staying at your place very much / please accept this small gift in return for your help. I only know the phrase 'tsumaranai mono desu ga..., but I believe it doesn't sound polite in a letter. Could anyone help me? Thanks a lot

masaegu · (#2 (**permalink**))

Are you writing this letter in real Japanese or in romaji?

kamome · (#3 (**permalink**))

In Japanese

Danierux · (#4 (**permalink**))

I'd just think you would write it as you say it.

有り難う (ありがとう) or to be more polite add ございます to the end.

Seiryuu · (#5 (**permalink**))

Arigatou in it's hiragana form is ok.

If you're presenting someone with a present, you say, "douzo."

masaegu · (#6 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamome

Hello everyone. I have just returned from Japan and would like to send a small present for a family who let me stay in their house for a couple of days. I have been wondering whether there is any common phrase you should use when writing a thankyou letter. I would like to write something like: I enjoyed staying at your place very much / please accept this small gift in return for your help. I only know the phrase 'tsumaranai mono desu ga..., but I believe it doesn't sound polite in a letter. Could anyone help me? Thanks a lot

Yes, as a general rule there are nothing but common phrases used in letters in Japanese. I recommend that you not try to be very creative in a letter, especially at the beginning and the end, which is also a general rule in a conversation in Japanese. I strongly recommend that you hand-write your letter as well.

「先日は（last name + 様の）お宅に泊めていただき誠にありがとうございました。おかげで大変楽しく過ごすことができました。本日恐縮ですがお礼の品を送らせていただきます。つまらないものですがお納めいただければ幸いです。」

That would be just an example of what you'd like to say. Note that it's completely fine to use the phrase 'tsumaranai mono desuga....' in letters.

Just add a few lines both at the beginning and at the end and it will be a good, polite letter. What you should say in those places should easily be found on the net. In case you have trouble finding it, get back to me.