What are the origins of "ありがとう"?


Now I know what you may be thinking when I pose a question like this, but I do
have a reason to wonder.

Work with me for a bit. When did the word "有り難う" come into use, could it have
been birthed in the Yamato language? Did it come with the influx of Chinese
cultural influence?

This is a question I ask my students in order to get them to think about
Japanese objectively. The Portuguese arrived in Japan in 1543. How does one
say thank you in Portuguese? Thank you in Portuguese is "obrigado" a slight
resemblance with the Japanese expression. Is it a pure coincidence, probably.
Could the foriegn influence merely have increased the popularity of "ありがとう"
over time? Maybe.

What is an explanation that can disprove a direct relationship between the
Portuguese and Japanese expression?




> What is an explanation that can disprove a direct relationship between the
> Portuguese and Japanese expression?

If you're asking for proof that there is no indirect relationship in the
popularity of usage due to Portuguese influence it would be pretty hard. As
far as there being no direct relationship, the usage of a variation of 有り難う
can apparently be found prior to any significant Portuguese presence in the
country. Early Buddhist sutras contain the expression, however, so it's link
to Chinese cultural influence is highly suggested. Who knows, however, whether
or not there existed a similar word previous to this influence used to convey
appreciation?

The likelihood of Obrigado having an influence on the Japanese word 有り難う is
considered unlikely. I would suggest that this [common view on the
subject](http://gogen-allguide.com/a/arigatou.html) be accepted unless you
have some substantial reason to doubt it and have a masochistic streak.




> What is an explanation that can disprove a direct relationship between the
> Portuguese and Japanese expression?

If you're asking for proof that there is no indirect relationship in the
popularity of usage due to Portuguese influence it would be pretty hard. As
far as there being no direct relationship, the usage of a variation of 有り難う
can apparently be found prior to any significant Portuguese presence in the
country. Early Buddhist sutras contain the expression, however, so it's link
to Chinese cultural influence is highly suggested. Who knows, however, whether
or not there existed a similar word previous to this influence used to convey
appreciation?

The likelihood of Obrigado having an influence on the Japanese word 有り難う is
considered unlikely. I would suggest that this [common view on the
subject](http://gogen-allguide.com/a/arigatou.html) be accepted unless you
have some substantial reason to doubt it and have a masochistic streak.

