How to Say Thank You in Bengali
The word is dhonnobad (ধন্যবাদ). It is understood everywhere Bengali is spoken, in Bangladesh and in West Bengal. But it is used less often than 'thank you' is in English, and knowing when not to say it matters as much as knowing the word.
| English | Bengali | In English letters |
|---|---|---|
| Thank you | ধন্যবাদ | dhonnobad |
| Thank you very muchonek means 'a lot' | অনেক ধন্যবাদ | onek dhonnobad |
| Thank you (respectful)to an elder, a stranger, or anyone senior | আপনাকে ধন্যবাদ | apnake dhonnobad |
| Thank you (to a friend)to a friend, a child, someone younger | তোমাকে ধন্যবাদ | tomake dhonnobad |
| You're welcomeformal, quite rare in speech | স্বাগতম | swagotom |
| It's nothing / no problemwhat people actually say | কিছু না | kichhu na |
| I am grateful to you | আমি আপনার কাছে কৃতজ্ঞ | ami apnar kachhe kritoggo |
| Thanks for your help | সাহায্যের জন্য ধন্যবাদ | shahajjer jonno dhonnobad |
What a phrasebook will not tell you
Bengali thanks less often than English does
In English 'thank you' is a lubricant — for the shopkeeper, the waiter, the person holding a door. In Bengali it carries more weight. Saying dhonnobad to your own mother for dinner, or to a close friend for a small favour, can sound oddly formal, as though you were putting distance between you. Among family and close friends people usually thank each other by doing something back, not by saying it.
You will hear English 'thank you' constantly
Especially in Dhaka, and especially from younger people. Using the English word is not a failure or a rudeness; it is normal. If you are unsure which to use, English is safe.
'You're welcome' barely exists in speech
Swagotom (স্বাগতম) is correct but formal — you will see it written on a banner more often than hear it. In conversation the reply to thanks is usually kichhu na ('it's nothing'), or a smile and nothing at all.
apnake or tomake — get this one right
Bengali has two 'you'. Apni is respectful, for elders, strangers and anyone senior to you. Tumi is familiar, for friends, siblings and children. Using tumi to an older stranger is the single most common mistake a learner makes, and it lands somewhere between over-familiar and rude. When in doubt, use apni.
Questions
How do you write thank you in Bengali?
ধন্যবাদ. In Roman letters it is usually spelled dhonnobad, sometimes dhonyobad or donnobad — Bengali has no standard romanisation, so all of these appear.
Is dhonnobad used in both Bangladesh and West Bengal?
Yes, it is understood everywhere Bengali is spoken. Bangladeshi Muslims also often use the Arabic-derived shukriya or jazakallah in religious contexts, but dhonnobad is neutral and always safe.
How do I reply when someone thanks me?
Kichhu na ('it's nothing') in ordinary conversation. Swagotom is the formal equivalent of 'you're welcome' but sounds stiff in speech.
Is it rude not to say thank you in Bengali?
No. Among family and close friends, not saying it is normal and saying it can sound distant. With strangers, shopkeepers and anyone doing you a service, it is welcome.