The 26 Most Common Replies to "Thank You" (Formal & Informal) - Grammarhow (2023)

It's good to be grateful. It's nice to know that everything you do is appreciated by the people around you. Hearing thanks is just a nice, nice thing. Yet,The problem is, what should you say back? How do you react?

What is the best response to "thank you"?

It's hard to know what to say when someone says thank you. But you knowYou needSay something. But what? It all depends on you and the situation. When someone says "thank you," you have the option of being formal or informal.

Formal responses work best when you're in the company of people you want to impress. Like bosses, future bosses, hopeful romantic partners, future in-laws, or sometimes just random people.on the street. A formal response shows that he is friendly and respectful to his boss.

Informal responses work best for more casual scenarios, such as B. a conversation with friends, classmates, colleagues, or immediate family. The informal response can still be polite without being as formal as a formal response.

It's about reading a room and assessing a situation and who you're talking to when you have to choose between a formal or informal response.

Best answers in formal situations:

When someone you're trying to impress says "thank you," or you're within earshot of someone saying "thank you," or you're just in a formal situation, these are some of the responses that work best to make you appear polite. to allow

1. gracias

This reaction works well in formal situations, especially job interviews. When someone says, "Thank you for coming," a very polite and formal response is to say, "thanks for having me/invite me/ etc."

2. With pleasure

This answer is the stereotypical answer because it is usually the best answer. There is hardly a scenario where "thank you" is answered with "you're welcome".slightly lesseducated.

3. With pleasure

This answer is very similar to the previous one, but adding "a lot" adds intensity to the answer and makes it sound like you put more thought into your answer than just saying "You're welcome."

4. My pleasure

This response works in a formal setting because it implies that whatever you have done for the other person is something you would like to do and would be willing to do again. It will make you look like a good employee, future father-in-law, citizen, etc.

5. Always willing to help

This answer is fine in a formal setting for the same reason as the previous answer. It makes it seem like whatever you did wasn't a big deal and you'd be willing to do it again, which makes you seem like a good person.

Best responses in informal situations:

If one of your friends, coworkers, or family members says "thank you," you should still respond to appear polite, but you could use one of these informal responses.

6. You're welcome

You're welcome, it works perfectly in both formal and informal situations. It really is the best answer one can give. There's hardly a scenario where a "thank you" isn't welcome.

7. No problem.

This response works well, it's pretty informal, but it does serve to reassure the other person that whatever you did for them wasn't a problem or a bother.

8. Don't worry.

This response works well, it's fairly informal, but it does serve to reassure the other person that what you've done for them is nothing to worry about and doesn't need to be thanked.

9. Have you.

This reaction works well in informal situations, especially with friends. The response says that you "got" the person, which means that you were happy to help them and will always help them.

10. Don't mention it.

This informal response works well, it's a good way to let the other person know that they don't need to be thanked, it was something you did well, sonot thatmust be mentioned.

11. A place.

This is a great informal response to "thank you." Not only does it acknowledge the "thank you," but it also tells the other person that they don't have to worry or feel bad about asking you for help because you were glad they did. It was a pleasure helping you and you would do it again.

12. At any time.

Sometimes it's better to keep it simple. Short and sweet. This is a great informal answer that does exactly that in one word. Let the other person know that she would not only like to help, would not only help again, but she would be happy to help again at any time.

13. I like to help.

This is a great informal response to "thank you." Not only does it acknowledge the "thank you" you received, but it also tells the other person that they don't need to worry or feel bad about asking for your help. You were glad you had the chance to help them and you would do it again.

14. *nods politely*.

Sometimes you don't have to say anything. This works best when you can be in a quiet place and not allowed to talk, or when you have food in your mouth, or when you open the door for someone and say "thank you." A calm and courteous nod is sometimes a perfect response. It's better to have a response, even a silent one, than not to respond and possibly appear rude.

15. It's not a big deal.

That's a nice, informal response that works well, it's a good way to let the other person know that they don't need to be thanked, that what you did for them wasn't a big deal, and that you were okay with it. . It wasn't a big deal!

16. Of course.

This is a great informal response to "thank you." Not only does it acknowledge the "thank you" you received, but it also tells the other person that they don't need to worry or feel bad about asking for your help. Of course you would help them, that was never a question.

17. Everything for you.

This is a great informal response to "thank you." Not only does it acknowledge the "thank you," but it also tells the other person that they don't have to worry or feel bad about asking you for help because you were glad they did. They care about them and would do anything to help them in any way.

18. Of course!

Sometimes you need to keep your answer short, sweet, and simple. This is a perfectly acceptable informal answer that does exactly that in one word. Not only does it say "thank you," but it also tells the other person that they don't need to worry or feel bad about asking for their help.

19. It's okay.

This response works well, it's pretty informal, but it does serve to reassure the other person that whatever you did for them wasn't a problem or a bother. It does the two things that every response should do, it affirms the "thank you" and it doesn't make the other person feel bad for asking you to do what you did for them.

20. *chuckles* You owe me one.

This is a nice and fun informal response that works best when shared with close friends or siblings. It's fast, you don't really expect to get paid in favors for everything you've done, but it has that fun, teasing energy that makes sure the other person knows what they asked you to do, it wasn't a big deal. Because if it was, you probably wouldn't be kidding.

21. Don't think about it.

This is a good informal answer, very common and popular in the UK. It's similar to when Americans say, "Don't worry." This response works well because it reassures the other person that everything you've done for them is nothing to worry about and they don't need you to thank them.

22. gracias

In French, this means "thank you very much" and is a standard French phrase. It works well in informal settings as anyone with a medium level of French would understand what it means and it makes a nice change of pace when everyone is always saying "You're welcome".

23. You're welcome

In Spanish, this means "no problem" and is a standard Spanish phrase. It works well in informal settings because anyone with a high school level of Spanish would understand what it means, and it makes a nice change of pace when everyone is always saying, "You're welcome."

24. It's okay

This is a great informal response to "thank you." It is successful because it acknowledges the "thank you" received, but also tells the other person not to worry or feel bad about asking for their help. You were happy to help them, it wasn't a big problem for you. They try to thank you, but you let them know that everything was fine.

25. Of course

This is a good informal response to "thank you." Not only does it acknowledge the "thank you" you received, but it also tells the other person that they don't need to worry or feel bad about asking for your help. Of course you would help them, that was never a question. It was certain that you would do what was needed of you.

26. There is no need to say thank you.

This informal response has become popular in cowboy movies and other similar stories, where the hero saves the day and when someone tries to thank him, he says "no reason, thanks." Now you can also use it in a casual setting. This response works well because it reassures the other person that what you did for them wasn't a big deal and that a "thank you" isn't necessary.

Of course, not all of these are acceptable answers, but they are great and give you an idea of ​​what is acceptable.

Frequent questions:

If you still have questions, that's okay and understandable. And do not worry! You're not the only one, below are some frequently asked questions that will hopefully answer any other questions you may have.

What is the best response to a thank you from your boss?

The best way to say thank you to your boss is "You're welcome." It is the default answer because it is the best. If your boss has thanked you for his work, he probably doesn't expect anything more than a "You're welcome" before continuing with his work.

Is it a good idea to reply to a thank you email?

It is a good idea! Replying to a thank you email only strengthens your connection with the recipient. This will also stay with you for a while, which can be helpful. Justmake sureKeep the email short.

Would it be rude if I replied "You're welcome" to a thank you?

Not! Usually not. Usually, "You're welcome" is a very polite response. It can only be considered rude for someone to say "thank you" in a sarcastic tone after they've made a mistake. Only then, or in similar rare situations, would it be considered impolite.