B2 Expression 매우 격식체 2분 분량

We are grateful for your patronage

Formal business communication expression

Use this phrase only in formal business writing to show high-level appreciation for a customer's loyalty.

15초 만에

  • A very formal way to thank a customer for their business.
  • Used primarily in professional writing, receipts, and luxury service industries.
  • Combines 'grateful' (thankful) and 'patronage' (support as a customer).

This is a very polite and professional way for a business to say 'thank you for being our customer.' It shows deep appreciation for the money and support you have given them.

주요 예문

3 / 6
1

Closing a formal business email

We look forward to serving you again; we are grateful for your patronage.

We look forward to serving you again; we are grateful for your patronage.

💼
2

Printed on a luxury hotel receipt

Thank you for staying with us; we are grateful for your patronage.

Thank you for staying with us; we are grateful for your patronage.

👔
3

A sign in a high-end boutique window

To our loyal customers: we are truly grateful for your patronage over the years.

To our loyal customers: we are truly grateful for your patronage over the years.

💭
🌍

문화적 배경

The phrase reflects the traditional 'Customer is King' philosophy in Western business. It evolved from the historical practice of wealthy individuals 'patronizing' the arts, now adapted for commercial loyalty. It is most commonly used in the US and UK in formal corporate or luxury retail settings.

💡

The 'Written' Rule

This phrase is 90% more common in writing than in speaking. If you say it out loud, save it for very important, high-paying clients.

⚠️

Avoid 'Over-Formalizing'

Don't use this if you are a small, casual business like a taco truck. It can make you seem out of touch or even sarcastic to your customers.

15초 만에

  • A very formal way to thank a customer for their business.
  • Used primarily in professional writing, receipts, and luxury service industries.
  • Combines 'grateful' (thankful) and 'patronage' (support as a customer).

What It Means

Think of this as the 'black-tie' version of a thank you note. Grateful is just a fancy word for thankful. Patronage refers to the act of being a customer. When a business says this, they are acknowledging that you chose them over everyone else. It is a way of showing high respect for your loyalty and your wallet.

How To Use It

You will mostly see this written down rather than spoken. It often appears at the bottom of a formal receipt. You might see it in a professional email after a big deal. If you own a business, use it to make your customers feel important. It adds a layer of class to your communication. Just remember to keep the rest of your message professional too.

When To Use It

Use this in high-end environments like luxury hotels or law firms. It is perfect for year-end thank you letters to clients. If you are writing a formal 'thank you' for a donation, this works beautifully. It is also great for signage in a boutique shop. It tells people that you value their long-term support, not just a one-time purchase.

When NOT To Use It

Never say this to a friend who just bought you a burger. They will think you have turned into a corporate robot! Avoid using it in casual texts or relaxed settings. If the vibe is 'jeans and t-shirts,' this phrase is too stiff. It can sound sarcastic if used in a tiny, casual coffee shop where everyone knows your name. Stick to thanks or cheers there.

Cultural Background

The word patron comes from the Latin word for 'protector' or 'father.' Historically, a patron was a wealthy person who supported an artist or a cause. Today, the 'patron' is the customer. In English-speaking cultures, using this phrase signals that a business views the relationship as more than just a transaction. It is a nod to old-world manners and high-level service.

Common Variations

If patronage feels a bit too heavy, you can try We appreciate your business. For something slightly warmer, use We are thankful for your support. In the UK, you might hear Thank you for your custom. All of these mean roughly the same thing. They just vary in how 'fancy' they feel. Choose the one that fits your brand's voice.

사용 참고사항

This phrase sits at the highest level of professional register. It is almost exclusively used by businesses to address customers, particularly in written form or high-end service interactions.

💡

The 'Written' Rule

This phrase is 90% more common in writing than in speaking. If you say it out loud, save it for very important, high-paying clients.

⚠️

Avoid 'Over-Formalizing'

Don't use this if you are a small, casual business like a taco truck. It can make you seem out of touch or even sarcastic to your customers.

💬

The 'Patron' Secret

In some English-speaking countries, a 'patron' also refers to someone who visits a pub. However, you'd rarely hear a bartender use this phrase—it's too fancy for a pint of beer!

예시

6
#1 Closing a formal business email
💼

We look forward to serving you again; we are grateful for your patronage.

We look forward to serving you again; we are grateful for your patronage.

A standard way to end a professional correspondence with a client.

#2 Printed on a luxury hotel receipt
👔

Thank you for staying with us; we are grateful for your patronage.

Thank you for staying with us; we are grateful for your patronage.

Commonly seen on invoices to leave a lasting polite impression.

#3 A sign in a high-end boutique window
💭

To our loyal customers: we are truly grateful for your patronage over the years.

To our loyal customers: we are truly grateful for your patronage over the years.

Used to build community and show deep appreciation for long-term support.

#4 A bank manager speaking to a VIP client
👔

Mr. Smith, we are extremely grateful for your patronage and trust in our firm.

Mr. Smith, we are extremely grateful for your patronage and trust in our firm.

Spoken aloud in very high-stakes or high-formality business meetings.

#5 Joking with a friend who buys a lot of shoes
😄

The mall should put up a statue of you; they must be so grateful for your patronage!

The mall should put up a statue of you; they must be so grateful for your patronage!

Using a very formal phrase in a casual context creates a humorous effect.

#6 A formal announcement of a store closing
💭

As we close our doors, we want to say we are grateful for your patronage since 1990.

As we close our doors, we want to say we are grateful for your patronage since 1990.

Used to express sincere thanks during a significant transition.

셀프 테스트

Choose the correct word to complete this formal business closing.

Please accept our sincerest thanks; we are ___ for your patronage.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: grateful

`Grateful` is the standard formal adjective used in this specific phrase to show professional thanks.

Complete the phrase used by a luxury brand to thank its customers.

We are grateful for your ___.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: patronage

`Patronage` is the formal term for the support given by a customer to a business.

🎉 점수: /2

시각 학습 자료

Formality Level of 'Thank You' Phrases

Casual

Used with friends

Thanks a lot!

Neutral

Standard daily use

Thank you for your help.

Formal

Professional business

We appreciate your business.

Very Formal

High-end or official

We are grateful for your patronage.

Where You'll See This Phrase

Grateful for your Patronage
🏨

Luxury Hotel

On the checkout invoice

⚖️

Law Firm

In a formal client letter

🍷

Fine Dining

On the bottom of the menu

📧

Corporate Email

Year-end holiday greeting

자주 묻는 질문

11 질문

In this context, patronage is the support, encouragement, or financial business that a customer gives to a store or company.

It is generally too formal for a text. Use Thanks for your order or We appreciate you instead for digital messaging.

You are grateful for something (the patronage) and grateful to someone (the customer). So, 'We are grateful to you for your patronage' is also correct.

Yes, though British businesses often use the word custom instead of patronage, such as Thank you for your custom.

It is traditional and formal, but not 'old' in a bad way. It sounds prestigious and respectful.

Yes, but it carries more weight when used for a long-term relationship or a very large purchase.

We appreciate your business or Thanks for choosing us are great neutral alternatives.

Yes, it starts with the same 'pay-tron' sound: /ˈpeɪ.trə.nɪdʒ/.

No, because you are not a business and the interviewer is not your customer. Use Thank you for the opportunity instead.

Using longer, more complex words like patronage signals a higher level of education and professional decorum.

If you are a solo business owner, I am grateful is fine. If you represent a company, We are is more standard.

관련 표현

We appreciate your business

A standard professional way to thank a customer.

Thank you for your custom

The British English equivalent of thanking a customer for their patronage.

Valued customer

A common term for a customer who is respected by a business.

Much obliged

An old-fashioned, very formal way to say thank you.

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