thanks

thanks — noun

1. a word you say to show you are pleased about something someone has done, given,

1.名詞A1
釋義

a word you say to show you are pleased about something someone has done, given, or said — the same as 'thank you' but less formal.

例句

Aylin smiled and said, 'Thanks for the birthday card!'

thanks for + noun

'Would you like more soup?' 'No, thanks, I've had enough.'

no, thanks for polite refusal

同義詞
  • thank you

    more formal and complete than 'thanks'

  • cheers

    informal British English, used in casual speech

  • ta

    very informal British English, often used with children

文法句型

thanks for + noun / verb-ing

no, thanks (polite refusal)

thanks + noun

用法筆記

More casual than 'thank you'; common in everyday conversation between people who know each other. 'Thanks' can be used both to accept and to politely refuse an offer (with 'no').

常見錯誤

❌I thanks you for the gift.
✅Thanks for the gift.
💡'Thanks' is already a complete exclamation; do not add a subject or conjugate it like a verb.

2. the words or actions you use to tell someone you feel pleased about what they di

2.名詞A2
釋義

the words or actions you use to tell someone you feel pleased about what they did for you, such as saying 'thank you' or writing a short message.

例句

The old man whispered his thanks to the nurse who helped him wash.

one's thanks + to + person

Isabela wrote a short letter of thanks to every guest who came.

letter of thanks

同義詞
  • gratitude

    refers to the feeling of being grateful, not the words or actions expressing it

  • appreciation

    more formal; often used in writing and public statements

反義詞
  • complaint

    an expression of dissatisfaction, the opposite of expressing thanks

文法句型

one's thanks + verb

verb + one's thanks

letter / word / message of thanks

用法筆記

Almost always used in plural form ('thanks'), even when referring to a single expression of gratitude. Unlike 'gratitude,' which describes the feeling, this sense focuses on the actual words or actions that communicate it.

常見錯誤

❌He gave a thank to his friend.
✅He gave his thanks to his friend.
💡The noun form is always 'thanks,' not 'a thank.'

3. the warm feeling inside you when you recognize that someone has done something g

3.名詞B1
釋義

the warm feeling inside you when you recognize that someone has done something good for you; gratitude as a state of mind.

例句

The family offered prayers of thanks for their new healthy baby.

prayer of thanks

Tendai looked at the full table with a heart full of thanks.

heart full of thanks

同義詞
  • gratitude

    more formal than 'thanks' for describing the emotion; 'gratitude' is always uncountable

  • gratefulness

    slightly more formal; focuses on the quality of being grateful

反義詞

文法句型

give thanks

prayer / song / heart full of thanks

用法筆記

Common in religious or solemn contexts ('give thanks to God,' 'prayer of thanks'). Unlike the exclamation sense, this refers to the internal emotion rather than a spoken expression. Distinguish from sense 2, which focuses on words or actions actually spoken or written.

常見錯誤

❌I have a big thanks for your help.
✅I feel deep thanks for your help.' or 'I am very grateful for your help.
💡'Thanks' as a feeling is not used with the article 'a.' Treat it like an uncountable noun.

4. a public or official statement in which a person, organization, or group is name

4.名詞B1
釋義

a public or official statement in which a person, organization, or group is named as having helped or contributed to something.

例句

Thanks are due to all the parents who helped with the school fair.

thanks are due to

Mark proposed a vote of thanks to the team after the project ended.

vote of thanks

同義詞
  • acknowledgment

    formal recognition of someone's contribution, often in writing

  • credit

    giving public recognition; 'credit goes to...'

  • recognition

    formal notice of someone's work or help

文法句型

thanks are due to + person

vote of thanks

with thanks to + person

one's thanks go to + person

用法筆記

Typically used in formal writing, public speeches, book acknowledgments, and official ceremonies. The phrase 'vote of thanks' is a standard expression used at the end of a formal meeting or event to publicly thank the organizers.

常見錯誤

❌I want to give a vote of thanks for your help with my bags.
✅I want to say a special thanks to you for helping with my bags.
💡'Vote of thanks' is a formal group expression, not for personal, everyday help.