The article is devoted to the study of gratitude as an act of speech, which is an important element of interpersonal communication. The article deals with the linguistic peculiarities of expressing gratitude in different cultures, as well as its social and regulatory functions. The author analyses the role of gratitude in maintaining social ties, its importance for the formation of politeness and respect in society, as well as the influence of cultural traditions on the ways of its expression. The paper shows how gratitude can take different forms depending on the context (formal or informal) and cultural norms, which emphasizes the importance of understanding it for effective intercultural communication. The paper is intended for researchers studying speech culture and intercultural communication, as well as for a general audience interested in politeness and social norms.