In Japanese, the word “どうも” (doumo) is a very versatile and frequently used word that can mean a few different things depending on the context. どうも, pronounced “dou-mo,” is a phrase you’d come across when you’re eating in at an izakaya or a restaurant. You can also use it to thank someone. You can also use it as the English version of “very much” and “very”. In many situations, the word is used to express appreciation.
Is it just a casual “thanks”? Or can it mean “hello,” “sorry,” or even something else entirely? In this post, we’ll unravel the many meanings of doumo, show you exactly when and how to use it, and share real-life examples so you can speak like a native and sound natural in everyday Japanese conversations.
What Does “Doumo” Mean in Japanese?
In Japanese, どうも (doumo) is a flexible and commonly used word that can express gratitude, serve as a greeting, emphasize an apology, or convey uncertainty. Its meaning changes depending on context, tone, and the words it’s paired with. While often translated as “thanks” or “very,” it has a much broader range of use in real-life conversation.
Different Meanings of Doumo in Japanese
1. Doumo as a “Thank You”
One of the most frequent uses of doumo is to express gratitude. It can be used on its own to casually say “thanks” in Japanese or combined with other expressions to show more formality. For example, どうもありがとう (doumo arigatou) means “thank you very much,” while どうもありがとうございます (doumo arigatou gozaimasu) is an even more polite and respectful version. Saying just どうも by itself is common among friends or acquaintances when you want to thank someone casually, such as when receiving a small favor or gift.
Tip: Adding doumo makes your thank you sound warmer and more polite.
カードをどうもありがとう。
Kaado o doumo arigatou.
Thank you for your card.
If you know Japan, you have probably come across the phrase “Arigato” at some point. If you’re a foreigner traveling to Japan, “Arigato” is a phrase you cannot avoid using. On the other hand, doumo is a much shorter way of saying arigato.
Let’s say that you’re leaving the restaurant with your friend. A conversation between you and the shopkeeper could sound like this:
You:
ごちそうさまでした。
Gochisousama deshita.
It was very delicous.Shopkeeper:
どうもありがとうございました。
Doumo arigatou gozaimashita.
Thank you for eating at our place.You:
どうも。
Doumo.
Thanks.
2. Doumo as a casual greeting
In casual situations, doumo can also be used as a brief, informal greeting in Japanese, similar to saying “hi” or “hey” in English. You might hear someone say どうも when they run into a coworker or friend. It’s short, friendly, and relaxed, but it’s not appropriate in formal or professional introductions.
For example, at work, when you see a colleague you are close with, you can simply say:
どうも！
Doumo!
Hey!
Keep in mind that this is less formal and shorter than full greetings like “konnichiwa” (こんいちは), so you should only use it to people you know. Otherwise, it can sound a bit rough or blunt.
3. Doumo as an apology
Doumo can soften the tone of an apology when paired with expressions like すみません (sumimasen) or 失礼しました (shitsurei shimashita). Phrases like どうもすみません or どうも失礼しました convey a stronger sense of sincerity — roughly translating to “I’m really sorry” or “I truly apologize.” In this context, doumo works as an intensifier, adding politeness and humility to the apology.
Of course, the tone here matters! Remember that doumo (どうも) can also mean “thank you,” and this word can be used all by itself. To avoid miscommunication, pay close attention to how you say it when you want to express that you’re sorry.
For example, if you bump into someone and say doumo with a lowered voice or while bowing your head, it means “sorry.” The intonation is usually falling or flat in this case.
In contrast, when saying doumo to mean “thank you,” the intonation often rises or fluctuates and sounds more cheerful and bright.
どうも申し訳ありません
Doumo moushi wake arimasen.
I deeply apologize
Read more: How to Apologize in Japanese
4. Doumo to show uncertainty
Another function of doumo is to express vague feelings or emphasize a state of uncertainty. This is because when placed at the beginning of a sentence, doumo can soften what you say, signaling you’re not 100% sure or you want to be polite but indirect. It’s like saying “Well…” or “I’m afraid that…” or “Somehow…” in English, often to avoid being too direct. Take a look at the example below.
どうも調子が悪いみたいです。
Doumo choushi ga warui mitai desu.
Somehow, I don’t feel well.
With that said, doumo often appears in implicitly negative phrases like どうも変だね (“That seems weird”) or どうも調子が悪い (“Something feels off”). In these cases, it communicates a sense of something being unclear, wrong, or difficult to explain. It’s often used when the speaker can’t quite put their finger on the issue.
5. Doumo to make an emphasis
Doumo can also emphasize a feeling or state, often meaning “very,” “quite,” or “really” when placed before adjectives or verbs. This is because when used at the start of a sentence or phrase, doumo acts like a little intensifier. It gives extra weight to the verb or adjective that follows.
Using doumo adds a polite but clear emphasis without sounding too dramatic or strong. It’s a natural part of Japanese conversation that helps speakers express their feelings more precisely and politely.
どうも分かりません。
Doumo wakarimasen.
I really don’t understand.
6. Doumo as a polite softener
In Japanese, politeness is very important, and speakers often use certain words to soften requests or statements, making them sound more gentle and less direct. Doumo can be used at the start of a sentence or phrase to add this softening effect, making the speaker sound more humble, polite, or considerate.
It’s like adding “please” or “kindly” in English to make a request sound more courteous.
What’s an interesting fact about “Doumo”?
In Japan, mascot characters are created to represent many companies and regions. In fact, Japan has a “Domo-kun（どーもくん）” mascot. He is an official mascot created by Japan’s public broadcaster (NHK). His concept derives from the greetings on Japanese morning television.
When (and When Not) to Use Doumo
| Expression | Meaning | Context |
|---|---|---|
| どうも | Thanks / Hi | Very casual |
| どうもありがとう | Thank you very much | Casual but polite |
| どうもありがとうございます | Thank you very much (formal) | Formal, respectful |
| どうもすみません | I’m very sorry | Polite apology |
| どうも調子が悪い | I don’t feel right | Expressing uncertainty |
| あ、どうも〜 | Hey there! | Casual greeting |
Doumo is safe to use in casual and semi-formal situations, especially when you’re talking with people you know well. It’s great for friendly conversations, everyday gratitude, and casual greetings. However, in formal situations, such as business meetings or speaking with someone older or of higher status, you should avoid using doumo alone. Instead, use full expressions like ありがとうございます (thank you) or 失礼しました (excuse me).
Examples of Using Doumo in Japanese
To help you better understand how どうも (doumo) is used in real life, here are several example sentences across different situations, each with an English translation and short explanation.
Example 1:
Japanese:
A: これ、落としましたよ。
B: あ、どうも！
English:
A: You dropped this.
B: Oh, thanks!
Example 2:
Japanese:
ご来店いただき、どうもありがとうございます。
English:
Thank you very much for visiting our store.
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FAQ
What does domo mean in Japanese?
“Domo” (どうも) is a versatile word meaning “thanks,” “hello,” “sorry,” or used for emphasis depending on context.
How do you say thank you in Japanese?
The most common way is “arigatou” (ありがとう) or more politely “arigatou gozaimasu” (ありがとうございます).
How do you use domo?
You use “domo” alone for casual thanks or greetings, or combined with phrases like “domo arigatou” to say thank you politely.
How do you write doumo?
“Domo” is written in hiragana as どうも.
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