Obrigado and Arigatō: The Fascinating Portuguese-Japanese Language Connection

When the Portuguese arrived in Japan in 1543, they became the first Europeans to establish contact with the isolated island nation. This encounter would leave an indelible mark on both cultures—including, perhaps, on the very words Japanese people use to express gratitude.

The Historical Connection

The Portuguese were not just traders; they were cultural ambassadors. Jesuit missionaries like Francis Xavier arrived in 1549, bringing Christianity, firearms (the famous "tanegashima"), and inevitably, their language. For nearly a century, Portuguese served as the lingua franca of trade in East Asia.

During this period, dozens of Portuguese words entered Japanese. Some are indisputable: pan (パン) for bread from pão, tabako (タバコ) for tobacco, botan (ボタン) for button from botão, and koppu (コップ) for cup from copo.

The Arigatō Debate

The popular theory suggests that the Japanese arigatō (ありがとう) evolved from or was influenced by the Portuguese obrigado. While this makes for a compelling story, linguistic scholars remain divided.

The Case For

Proponents point out the phonetic similarity and the timing: both words express gratitude, and the Portuguese were actively teaching their language in Japan during the 16th and 17th centuries. Some early Portuguese-Japanese dictionaries from this period show interesting overlaps.

The Case Against

Japanese linguists note that arigatō derives from the classical Japanese adjective arigatashi (有り難し), meaning "hard to exist" or "rare"—implying that something worthy of thanks is rare and precious. This etymology is documented in texts predating Portuguese contact.

The Verdict

While a direct derivation is unlikely, the Portuguese presence may have reinforced the use of arigatō as the standard expression of thanks, or influenced its pronunciation. Languages evolve through contact, and sometimes the connections are subtle rather than direct.

Other Portuguese Words in Japanese

The linguistic legacy is undeniable in these confirmed borrowings:

• Tempura (天ぷら) - from tempero (seasoning) or têmporas (Ember days)
• Karuta (カルタ) - from carta (playing card)
• Sabato - from sabão (soap)
• Igirisu (イギリス) - from Inglês (English/England)
• Kirishitan - from cristão (Christian)

The story of obrigado and arigatō reminds us that language history is rarely simple. Whether directly connected or not, these words represent a remarkable period when two vastly different cultures met, traded, and changed each other forever.