Using すみません instead of ありがとう


Can すみません always be used in place of ありがとう? What's the difference?

When using すみません to express thanks, what other words are used with it?

Could you show me some examples?




すみません is used to express thanks when you want so express gratitude for someone
going out of their way for you, or you that you feel like you inconvenienced
them by receiving their effort. Another part is someone doing something
unexpectedly for you. Of course ありがとうございます also fits in the same situations,
too.

Simple clear examples would be someone pouring you a glass of drink at a
party; someone in the office bringing you a document you asked about the other
day. I learned this use of すみません in these kinds of situations.

To say that you can _always_ use すみません instead of ありがとう would be incorrect I
feel. For example, during my language learning time I have received ongoing
instruction from an older friend. He explained when saying expressing deep
appreciation, I should unhurriedly say ありがとうございました with a bow. In these
situations, すみません would be too short and wouldn't carry the same feeling.

Also, to make it even more interesting, it is fine to say "すみません。ありがとうございます。"
in the same sentence but I don't believe there are many other words one would
_usually_ use with すみません though.




すみません is used to express thanks when you want so express gratitude for someone
going out of their way for you, or you that you feel like you inconvenienced
them by receiving their effort. Another part is someone doing something
unexpectedly for you. Of course ありがとうございます also fits in the same situations,
too.

Simple clear examples would be someone pouring you a glass of drink at a
party; someone in the office bringing you a document you asked about the other
day. I learned this use of すみません in these kinds of situations.

To say that you can _always_ use すみません instead of ありがとう would be incorrect I
feel. For example, during my language learning time I have received ongoing
instruction from an older friend. He explained when saying expressing deep
appreciation, I should unhurriedly say ありがとうございました with a bow. In these
situations, すみません would be too short and wouldn't carry the same feeling.

Also, to make it even more interesting, it is fine to say "すみません。ありがとうございます。"
in the same sentence but I don't believe there are many other words one would
_usually_ use with すみません though.

