Thank you

[0094] Thanks

🎲 Thanks a lot
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • A common, less formal version of Thank you.
  • Used to express gratitude in everyday situations.

Origin

  • Shortened form of Thank you.
  • Became prevalent as language tends towards brevity in informal contexts.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Thank you. (More formal)
  • Cheers. (UK/Aus/NZ informal)
  • Ta. (UK/Aus very informal)
  • Appreciate it. (Slightly more formal than 'Thanks', less than 'Thank you')

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Thx. (Texting/online abbreviation)
  • K thx. (Often sarcastic online, short for Okay, thanks)
  • Props.
  • Good looks.

Vulgar/Emphatic (Context dependent, can be sarcastic):

  • (Less common to use vulgarity with just Thanks unless part of a larger phrase like Fuckin' thanks for nothing, which is sarcastic)

Milder/Standard:

  • Thank you.
  • Much appreciated.
  • I appreciate it.

Playful/Exaggerated:

  • Thankee. (Dialect/playful)
  • Gracias. (Borrowing from Spanish, often playful)

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal to semi-formal.
  • Perfect for everyday interactions with peers, service staff, colleagues in casual settings.
  • Might be slightly too informal for very formal situations or expressing deep gratitude, where Thank you is preferred.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Unlikely to be misunderstood.
  • Perhaps the only nuance is using it when a more formal Thank you might be expected, potentially seeming slightly abrupt or under-appreciative, but this is minor.

Examples

  • Someone passes the salt: Thanks.
  • Barista hands over coffee: Thanks.
  • Friend gives minor help: Oh, thanks for grabbing that.

Dialogue

Waiter: Here's your water.

Customer: Thanks.

Colleague A: Did you need this pen?

Colleague B: Oh, yeah. Thanks.

Colleague A: Yep.

Social Media Examples

  • Reply to someone sharing a link: Thanks!
  • Comment on a helpful tip: Didn't know that, thanks for sharing.
  • Quick chat message: Got the file. Thanks.

Response Patterns

  • Yep. / Yup. (Very informal)
  • Sure. / Sure thing.
  • No problem.
  • Anytime.
  • You got it. (US informal)
  • No worries. (Aus/NZ/US informal)
  • Uh-huh. (Acknowledgement)
  • (Sometimes just a nod)

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After saying Thanks:

  • Usually signifies the end of a small transactional exchange.
  • The speaker might offer a quick smile or nod.

After hearing Thanks and responding (No problem):

  • The interaction often concludes immediately.

Conversation Starter

  • No. It's a response.

Intonation

  • Typically casual and brief.
  • Often a quick, falling intonation. THANKS.
  • Can be more drawn out or emphasized for slightly more gratitude: Thaaanks.

Generation Differences

  • Universally used and understood by all generations in informal contexts.

Regional Variations

  • Standard in North American English.
  • Used in UK/Aus/NZ etc., but Cheers is a very common informal alternative. Ta is also used informally, especially in the UK and Australia.
Thank you
🎲 Thanks a lot