tänu

Tänu is an Estonian noun that denotes gratitude or thanks. It refers to the feeling of being grateful and to the act of expressing appreciation. In everyday speech, the common informal term for thanks is aitäh, while tänu is more formal and is frequently found in written language, speeches, and official communication.

Tänu can also be used to mean “thanks to” something or someone, introducing the source of a positive outcome. In such constructions it is followed by a noun phrase that specifies what is being thanked for, for example Tänu teie abile sai projekt valmis. This use emphasizes the cause or assistance behind a favorable result and is common in formal contexts.

Etymology and usage notes: tänu is of Finnic origin and has cognates in related Finnic languages. In modern Estonian, tänu tends to appear in more formal or ceremonial contexts, while aitäh remains the everyday standard for direct expressions of thanks. The term is widely understood and appears in literature, bureaucratic language, and public announcements, reflecting a traditional, formal strand of Estonian gratitude expression.

See also: Acknowledgment in Estonian culture; Etiquette in Estonian language; Aitäh.