Key Takeaways
- Expressing gratitude can strengthen your relationships and boost your mental well-being.
- Phrases like “this means a lot” and “I appreciate you” are great ways to say thanks.
Phrases to express gratitude can range from a simple “thank you” to something more profound that explains just how much you appreciate someone. Kindness is important for relationships and mental health. Telling someone you are grateful for them is a way to show your love and feel closer to others.
Verywell Mind / Stocksy
Why Expressing Gratitude Is So Important
Acts of kindness are needed now more than ever. And they’re good for you, too: Studies show that expressing kindness releases powerful hormones, such as endorphins and oxytocin.
Whether they are random moments of courtesy that pay respect to the ways we are all interconnected or well-thought-out acts of love to those dearest to us, sometimes a simple “thank you” just isn’t enough.
As a therapist, I am in the business of connection. In the therapy room, we work tirelessly to get past the layers of symptoms and accumulated wounds. What we eventually arrive at is the core part of us that needs to give and receive love, that longs to belong and be part of something greater than ourselves.
This is where the internal work begins to shift to explore how we can change our external world. More often than not, this accounts for how we can deepen our relationships and find language for how we feel for others.
Ways to Say ‘Thank You’
The 40 following phrases aren’t just sweet sign-offs to use in the body of emails or at the end of birthday cards. They’re words you can say aloud as needed or spontaneously send in a text to convey the depths of your gratitude for those who mean the most to you.
1. This means a lot.
Though simple, it is precise. Letting someone know their actions hold weight for you can be moving in of itself.
2. I can’t express my gratitude enough.
I can think of dozens of times when there haven’t been words to explain how deeply someone’s actions have moved me. When words fail to do us justice, simply stating that can speak volumes.
3. This makes me feel…
You fill in the rest! ‘Thank you’ is a courtesy, telling someone how you feel is a gift.
4. This reminds me of …
Similar to the previous phrase, you’ll fill in the rest with what the act of kindness reminds you of. It could be a childhood memory, a movie you once saw, or a dream. Whatever it is, letting someone know that their actions have pleasantly jogged your memory can be moving.
5. Your support means more than you know.
Support is often the buoy that keeps us afloat. Unfortunately, the people offering support may not even know how important their actions are to you. So don’t be afraid to let them know.
6. I feel honored.
Receiving care is an honor. Express that to them.
7. I can’t wait to return the favor.
I like to consider gratitude as part of the dance of relationships. You receive, you give, you continue the tango of connection.
8. I’m not sure how to say thank you enough.
It can be hard to find the words to say thank you. Saying that alone can speak volumes.
9. I’m grateful for you.
Let them know how grateful you are for them – it conveys the meaning they hold in your life.
10. I will always remember this.
Some things people can live in our minds as core memories. Nothing is a higher compliment than to be told that your act of kindness will resonate with someone forever.
11. I am not sure I’ll ever be able to repay you.
There are some things we can never repay someone for. The greatest gift we can offer in return is letting them know that.
12. I’ll never forget this.
Similar to “I’ll always remember this,” this phrase can stick with others the same way their actions did for you.
13. Sending warmth your way.
Admittedly, this is how I sign off my emails. But it is also the truth. In expressing my gratitude for someone reaching out, I do send warm, good, connective feelings their way.
14. I receive this with warmth and care.
How we receive an act of kindness can show our gratitude. Let them know you receive it with warm feelings and care for them.
15. I appreciate your help.
Appreciation is an important thing to convey. Let them know that you appreciate their actions.
16. You always have my back.
For those you feel truly have your best interests in mind, make sure they know it doesn’t go unnoticed.
17. I haven’t experienced something like this before.
There can be things people do that are so gracious, it is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. Don’t be afraid to say that.
18. You are the best.
If someone has done something that you feel is otherworldly, letting them know they are the best conveys the place they hold in your life.
19. This moment will stick out to me forever.
Letting someone know they have given you the gift of a moment that will stick with you forever holds far more value than a thank you gift.
20. All my gratitude.
Easy, brief, and honest. What more could you need to say?
21. How can I ever repay you?
If someone has gone above and beyond, it is thoughtful to ask them if there’s anything you can do in return. After all, acts of service may be a love language for them.
22. Please let me know what I can do for you.
Similar to the previous phrase, this one is direct. It isn’t a question, it is a statement, a declaration that you will offer the same care they gifted you.
23. You are very generous.
While many give selflessly, it is safe to say most of us hope to hear an acknowledgment in return.
24. Your generosity doesn’t go unnoticed.
Hearing your generosity is noticed and appreciated can feel good, even if you didn’t think what you were doing was generous.
25. I’m so moved by this gesture.
Sometimes, people do things without realizing it is a kind gesture. Acknowledge that—it lets them see how their actions are being viewed.
26. I’m wishing you all good things.
Dedicating a hope and a dream to someone is a sweet and understated way to express your gratitude.
27. I appreciate you.
You might want to tell someone you appreciate their help, like I suggested above, or you appreciate a certain thing they did for you. However, simply saying you appreciate them is a generous offering of care.
28. You mean a lot to me.
How often do we hear someone tell us we mean a lot to them? Probably not enough.
29. You’ve changed my life.
There is no higher expression of gratitude and no greater honor than hearing you’ve changed someone’s life. Use this one sparingly, when you truly mean it.
30. You truly understand me.
A core human desire is to understand and be understood. When you feel that someone gets you, tell them that.
31. Let’s spend quality time together.
Consider this one a thank-you gift. Quality time together trumps physical gifts any day.
32. I admire how you care for me.
Sometimes, we are lucky enough to have someone care for us in a way that we find admirable. Don’t hesitate to let them know that.
33. I feel seen by you.
Feeling truly seen by someone isn’t something everyone can offer. Let them know how connected you feel to them.
34. How can I support you?
Offering someone support in exchange for something kind they did for you is an incredible gift to give.
35. I’ve been thinking about what you did for me.
Sometimes we are quick to thank someone and don’t voice how their actions have stayed with us. This phrase lets someone know they’re still on your mind.
36. Your actions have changed me for the best.
What a compliment it is to hear someone feels you’ve helped shape them as a human being.
37. You have given me such a gift.
This phrase is excellent for experiences of love, kindness, and care that don’t necessarily feel pointed. It allows someone to see how much they do for you.
38. This is such an example of how caring you are.
Let someone know that you see how caring they are and their actions are yet another example of it.
39. You are so attentive.
Undivided attention can feel rare these days, so acknowledging when someone is attentive can be moving.
40. I see you.
At the end of it all, we want to know someone notices, understands, and sees us. The simplest way to say it may be the best.
