When offering a short answer like this, separate 'thank you' with a comma. The answer as to whether you should or should not hyphenate 'thank you' really does depend on how it is used.
As a VERB - Do not hyphenate.
For example:
- Thank you for meeting me.
- I thank you for this opportunity.
As an ADJECTIVE - Hyphenate.
When 'thank you' is used as an adjective before a noun, it must be hyphenated. We do this to show that the adjective acts as a single idea.
For example:
- Holly likes to send thank-you cards for presents she receives.
As a NOUN - The grammatically correct answer is to either hyphenate, or to create one word.
I'm going to allow you to use your own judgment on this one. My personal preference is to avoid using
'thank you' as a noun. I would use a word like 'gratitude' if the context is formal, or 'thanks' if the context is informal.
For example:
- I would like to offer my gratitude for services rendered. (formal)
- Giving thanks before dinner is a family tradition. (informal)
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