Friendly to Friend
Cultural · Communication
お陰様で、家族みんな元気にしています。 — Thanks to you, my whole family is doing well. (Cultural · Communication, Friendly to Friend, JLPT N4)
You
お陰様で、家族みんな元気にしています。
おかげさまで、かぞくみんなげんきにしています。
Thanks to you, my whole family is doing well.
Romaji: Okagesama de, kazoku minna genki ni shite imasu. / Reply Romaji: Sore wa nani yori desu. Yokatta.
Reply
それは何よりです。よかった。
それはなによりです。よかった。
That's the best news. I'm glad.
Gesture & etiquette
Soft smile, slight nod when saying 'okagesama de.' Open posture, hands relaxed. The phrase carries a warmth that should be reflected in voice — slightly slower, with gentle emphasis on 'okagesama.'
Okagesama de' (literally 'thanks to your shadow') is a uniquely Japanese expression of indirect gratitude — you credit others (including unseen forces and the listener themselves) for your wellbeing, even when they had no direct involvement. It signals humility and a sense of being supported by community. Use when reporting good news or responding to 'how are you?' from someone who knows your situation.