Is there any difference between the meaning of arigato gozaimasu or arigato gozaimashita? Sometimes it end with *masu* and sometimes with *shita*. Does it matter which one I use?

Konnichiwa! The endings ~masu, and ~mashita are different tenses.

*Tabemasu* can express "I eat (now)" or "I will eat (sometime later" depending on context.

So, for example, to say _"I will eat sushi tomorrow"_ you would say *Ashita osushi o tabemasu.*

To say _"I eat sushi now"_ - is *Ima osushi o tabemasu.* *Tabemashita* on the other hand means _"I ate"_.

Now, here's where it may get a bit tricky... saying *arigato gozaimasu* or *arigato gozaimashita* actually expresses "thank you". Either one will work when showing appreciation to something done to you. -Sayaka :P

[quo]*Quote from * Sayaka Konnichiwa! The endings ~masu, and ~mashita are different tenses. *Tabemasu* can express "I eat (now)" or "I will eat (sometime later" depending on context. So, for example, to say _"I will eat sushi tomorrow"_ you would say *Ashita osushi o tabemasu.* To say _"I eat sushi now"_ - is *Ima osushi o tabemasu.* *Tabemashita* on the other hand means _"I ate"_. Now, here's where it may get a bit tricky...saying *arigato gozaimasu* or *arigato gozaimashita* actually expresses the say "thank you". Either one will work when showing appreciation to something done to you. -Sayaka :P[/quo] :) actually I did mean when in combination with Arigato. So there is no real difference when using one of the both? I was wondering because have seen both being used.

Ashwinr-san, Let me rephrase my explanation - although I did mention that you can use both *Arigato gozaimasu* and *Arigato gozaimashita* in similar situations - there is a basic difference you should remember - :

*Arigato gozaimasu* is in the present tense - so is used when thanking someone for an action done at that moment. SO, for example, someone gives you a gift - then as you receive it, you would say *Arigato gozaimasu*.

Another example is, you're looking for a restaurant - you ask someone on the street who says "Follow me, I'll take you there" - in such case, you say *Arigato gozaimasu* - as the action of kindness is happening at the present time.

On the other hand, let's say someone came to visit you (at home), when he/she is leaving, you would say _"Thank you for coming"_ - and so, in this case, you use the phrase *Arigato gozaimashita*. The *~mashita* ending refers to a past event.

Hope that helps! -Sayaka :P