11 Expressions with “Grazie” in Italian

If you think grazie in Italian is just the word to thank someone, think again! From genuine appreciation to sarcastic remarks and even playful jabs, grazie can take on many different meanings, popping up in a wide range of expressions that are frequently used in everyday conversations.

Below, I’ll share 11 classics phrases with grazie that are sure to make you sound more like a local!

1. Grazie mille 

(Literally, “Thanks a thousand”)

Grazie mille is one of the most frequent phrases to say thank you and express gratitude in Italian, equivalent to “thank you so much” in English. Personally, I use it 99% of the time! There’s even a famous Italian song titled “Grazie Mille” by 883!

We typically use the word mille (meaning “thousand”) to convey large quantities or intensify expressions in Italian. You might come across it in phrases like te l’ho detto mille volte (I told you a thousand times) or ho mille pensieri per la testa (I have a thousand thoughts running through my head).

You may also hear mille grazie, which flips the word order to emphasize mille, conveying an even more heartfelt tone of gratitude. While grazie mille is slightly more common, the two expressions are interchangeable and equally warm.

2. Grazie tante 

(Thanks a lot)

At first glance, grazie tante might seem similar to grazie mille (both translating to “thanks a lot” in English), but their meanings and usage are quite different. While grazie mille is a way to express sincere gratitude, grazie tante often conveys sarcasm or irony, and is rarely used as a genuine “thank you.” 

In fact, it’s frequently used in informal situations where we’re expressing disappointment or annoyance, typically when someone has failed to do something or has let us down in some way. We often pair this phrase with an exclamation like eh!, which reinforces its sarcastic or ironic nature. For example:

3. Grazie infinite 

(Infinite thanks)

While similar in sentiment to grazie mille (a thousand thanks), grazie infinite conveys a deeper sense of gratitude, as if saying, “Take all the thanks in the universe!” It’s what we say when someone has done something for us and we want them to know just how much we appreciate it.

Grazie infinite works well in both formal and informal contexts, but it’s less likely to pop up with close family. Instead, it’s more suited for situations like thanking a coworker for rescuing us from a last-minute deadline or a stranger for returning the wallet we lost.

4. Molte grazie 

(Many thanks)

Molte grazie is a polite way to say “thank you” in Italian, similar to “many thanks” in English. It’s often used in more formal or professional  situations to express gratitude with a touch of respect.

On a grammatical note, molte is the feminine plural form of the adjective molto, meaning “many” or “a lot.” Since Italian, adjectives must agree in gender and number with the nouns they describe, molte pairs up with grazie — the plural form of grazia, which means “grace” or “thanks.” 

5. Grazie di tutto 

(Thanks for everything)

Grazie di tutto is the perfect way to express genuine appreciation when someone has done a series of things for us or at the end of a significant experience. For instance, if we’re leaving a job, we can use this phrase to thank our colleagues, acknowledging the good times and memories we’ve shared:

You might come across grazie per tutto, which carries the same meaning but tends to have a slightly more formal tone, making it less common in casual, everyday conversations.

6. Grazie di cuore 

(Literally, “Thanks of heart”)

Grazie di cuore is a lovely expression that conveys a deep sense of gratitude, similar to “thanks from the bottom of my heart” in English.

This phrase works in all kinds of situations. Whether it’s appreciating the generous gesture fo a friend or expressing gratitude to our boss for backing us up for a promotion, grazie di cuore adds a personal, warm touch, showing that we really appreciate what someone has done for us.

7. Grazie ancora 

(Thanks again)

Just like “thanks again” in English, grazie ancora is for when we want to reiterate our gratitude, typically after we’ve already said “thank you” but feel like one thank you just isn’t quite enough. For example:

One little tip: make sure you pronounce ancora with the accent on the second syllable – ancóra (with the emphasis on the ‘o’). If you accidentally put the accent on the first syllable, áncora, you’ll be talking about an “anchor” instead!

8. Grazie lo stesso 

(Thanks anyway) 

This expression with “grazie” in Italian is a way of thanking someone for their effort, even if they couldn’t fully help us or didn’t manage to do what we asked. For example, let’s say we ask someone for a favor, but they can’t quite make it happen. We can say:

A very similar phrase is grazie comunque, which also means “thanks anyway” or “thanks regardless.” Both expressions are perfect for acknowledging someone’s good intentions, even if things didn’t go as planned!

9. Grazie a Dio!

(Thank God)

The phrase Grazie a Dio conveys that universal feeling, that “phew!” when something goes right, like realizing you didn’t accidentally reply-all to an email. For instance, imagine you’re at the check-in counter, super excited for your dream vacation, but suddenly, you can’t find your passport anywhere in your bag. When you finally spot it, you might breathe a sigh of relief and say:

This expression with grazie is not just for firm devotees. Even the most non-believers among us, the ones who last saw a church during their confirmation, can be caught exclaiming this in moments of sheer relief.

10. Grazie al cielo!

(Literally, “Thanks to the sky!”)

When we’re feeling grateful but want to keep things a little less holy, we thank the sky instead! After all, the sky is where gods have traditionally resided, along with saints, angels, and paradise itself. So, by giving a nod to the sky, we’re kind of giving a polite “thank you” to the divine without getting too specific.

For example, say we’re in a car that narrowly avoids an accident. After the tension passes, we let out a relieved sigh and say:

11. Grazie al cavolo!

(Literally, Thanks to the cabbage!)

Of all the expressions with grazie in Italian, grazie al cavolo is definitely the funniest! Cavolo means cabbage – yes, the vegetable. Why we use it? Well, it sounds a lot like the vulgar cazzo, but it’s totally innocent and a much safer choice!

We use grazie al cavolo when someone states obvious things or gives a response that doesn’t really add any value to the conversation. It’s like saying “Well, obviously!” or “Big help there!” For example:

The more vulgar variation of this phrase is grazie al cazzo (literally, “thanks to the dick”), but unless you’re super close with your friends or you’re in a situation where you can use that kind of language without raising eyebrows, maybe stick to the cabbage!

Valentina Nicastro

Valentina Nicastro is a travel writer in love with her home country, Italy. Having travelled widely around the globe, she realised there was more to explore closer to home and decided to put the passport aside for a while. When she is not immersed in documenting Italy, you’ll find her donning her communication consultant hat, weaving words as a content writer and bridging linguistic divides as a translator.