Formal to Acquaintance
Cultural · Seasonal
このたびは結構なお中元をいただきまして、誠にありがとうございます。 — Thank you very much for the wonderful mid-summer gift. (Cultural · Seasonal, Formal to Acquaintance, JLPT N3)
You
このたびは結構なお中元をいただきまして、誠にありがとうございます。
このたびはけっこうなおちゅうげんをいただきまして、まことにありがとうございます。
Thank you very much for the wonderful mid-summer gift.
Romaji: Kono tabi wa kekkou na ochuugen wo itadakimashite, makoto ni arigatou gozaimasu. / Reply Romaji: Okuchi ni aereba yoroshii no desu ga.
Reply
お口に合えばよろしいのですが。
おくちにあえばよろしいのですが。
I hope you'll enjoy it.
Gesture & etiquette
Receive the gift with both hands and bow at about 30 degrees. Do not open it immediately — this is considered impolite in Japan. Set it aside respectfully. A follow-up phone call or thank-you card within a few days is strongly recommended.
お中元 (Ochugen, July–August) and お歳暮 (Oseibo, December) are the two major gift-giving seasons — expressions of gratitude to superiors, teachers, and business associates. Do not open the gift immediately in front of the giver. A follow-up thank-you call or card within a few days is expected.