Japanese Weekly Volume 1 - Difference between "Arigatou gozaimasu" and "Arigatou gozaimashita" + Other greetings

Welcome to the first volume of Japanese Weekly. Through this series, plan to learn new vocabulary, grammar points and Japanese culture each volume. In this volume, you'll learn the difference between "Arigatou gozaimasu" and "Arigatou gozaimashita," but first, lets learn some basic greetings.

Hello

こんにちは。　(Konnichiwa)

Good morning

おはようございます。 (Ohayō gozaimasu.) 

Good evening

こんばんは。 (Konbanwa) 

How are you?

お元気ですか。 (O-genki desu ka?) 

Fine, thank you

元気です。ありがとう。 (Genki desu. Arigatō.) 

What is your name?

お名前は何ですか。(O-namae wa nan desu ka?) 

My name is ____ 

私の名前は ____ です。 (Watashi no namae wa ____ desu.) 

Nice to meet you

始めまして。 (Hajime mashite.)

Now let's get into the arigatou business.

Most of you probably know that "Arigatou" is thank you in Japanese but there are many other phrases to say thank you.

Thank you (Polite)

ありがとうございます。(Arigatou gozaimasu)

Thanks a lot

 どうもありがとう。(Doumo arigatou)

Thank you very much

どうもありがとうございます。(Doumo arigatou gozaimasu)

Thanks

どうも。(Doumo)

Difference between "Arigatou gozaimasu" and "Arigatou gozaimashita." 

"Arigatou gozaimashita" is the past tense of "Arigatou gozaimasu." This expression is used when you thank for something that has been done to you, for example, when giving back a pencil you borrowed for the day, you say "Arigatou gozaimashita" because it's a favor that's already been done.