Ta is informal British for thanks, as short as it gets. Here's your pen. – Ta! People say it for small favours: holding a door, passing a pen. It's pronounced /tɑː/, often with mate: Ta, mate. In writing, especially formal writing, use thank you.
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Ta!; ta for + noun / -ing; ta, mate
- Ta for holding the door; these boxes are heavy.
- Here is your pen back.—Ta!
- Ta, mate, that was just the tool I needed.
What changed
First versionDear Ms Lee, ta for your quick reply.
RevisionDear Ms Lee, thank you for your quick reply.
Ta sounds so friendly that it's tempting to use it everywhere. But in a formal email it comes across as overfamiliar. To a teacher, a client or in business emails, write thank you.
Ta-ta means bye, a different word altogether. Cheers in British English means thanks, bye and a toast. Ta only means thanks.
Your turn
Someone hands you the notebook you asked for and you say Ta! What are you expressing? ___.
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thanks — Someone handed over what you needed, and ta says thank you: thanks. For goodbye there's a separate word, ta-ta.
Thank someone for a small favour in a casual British reply.
Ta for bringing the spare umbrella; I had forgotten mine.
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