Japanese etymology: おかげさまで Okagesamade
おかげさまで “Okagesamade”
Meaning: Thanks to you
Okagesamade is originally a Buddhist term that refers to the feeling of gratefulness towards the supernatual that extends help to us.
Kage = Shadow
Sama = Honorific
Imagine the gratefulness towards a shadow that protects you from the blazing sun in summer. The shadow is there to help you because someone planted a tree there. We are all helped by people and things that are beyond what we can perceive.
Nowadays, the phrase is used to thank others for something that went well for you.
When Japanese people come back to work after a sick leave, they say:
a. “おかげさまでよく休めました” = “Thanks to you, I was able to rest well”
b. “おかげさまで良くなりました” = “Thanks to you, I have gotten better”
even if the counterpart didn’t do anything to help.
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