ごちそうさまでした
gochisōsama deshita
In Japanese, the phrase used to say "a meal was good" or to thank a host after eating is ごちそうさまでした (gochisōsama deshita).
The phrase ごちそうさまでした is used to express gratitude to a host or cook after a meal has finished. It is often translated as "Thank you for the feast." Depending on the situation, you might also want to describe the quality of the food: 絶品です (Zeppin desu) is a formal way to say "It's excellent" or "It's superb," while うまい (Umai) is an informal way to say "Delicious." For a very casual or enthusiastic reaction, you can use めちゃうま (Mechā uma) to mean "super delicious."
What does it mean word for word?
The word ごちそう refers to a feast or a meal that required great effort to prepare. The phrase ends with でした, which is the polite past tense of the copula, indicating that the meal has concluded.
Which one should you use?
While ごちそうさまでした is the standard polite way to thank someone after eating, you can use the shorter ごちそうさま to be more informal with family or close friends. Additionally, do not confuse this with いただきます, which is the standard phrase said before starting a meal to mean "I humbly receive."
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase ごちそうさまでした uses the polite past tense でした to indicate that the act of eating is finished.
How do you pronounce it?
gochisōsama deshita
When do people say it?
In Japan, it is common to show appreciation by bowing slightly while saying ごちそうさまでした after finishing a meal.
Did you know?
- The word ごちそう literally refers to 'running around' to gather ingredients. It describes the physical effort a host once made to source a variety of foods for a guest.
- Japanese people may say ごちそうさま even when eating alone at home. This is done to show gratitude to the ingredients and the life that provided the food.
- While うまい means 'delicious', it was traditionally considered a more masculine or rough way to speak. Women in Japan have historically preferred using おいしい to describe a tasty meal.
Examples in context
- 寿司が特においしかったです (Sushi ga toku ni oishikatta desu)The sushi was especially delicious.
- ごちそうさまでした。Gochisousama deshita.Thank you for the meal.
- とても美味しかったです。ごちそうさまでした。Totemo oishikatta desu. Gochisousama deshita.It was very delicious. Thank you for the meal.
- お母さん、ごちそうさまでした。Okaasan, gochisousama deshita.Mom, thank you for the meal.
Example conversation
Ren is finishing dinner at Yui's house.
- 蓮 Renごちそうさまでした。とてもおいしかったです。Gochisousama deshita. Totemo oishikatta desu.Thank you for the meal. It was very delicious.
- 結衣 Yuiそう言ってもらえて嬉しいです。Sou itte moraete ureshii desu.I am happy to hear that.
- 蓮 Renまた食べに来てもいいですか？Mata tabe ni kite mo ii desu ka?Can I come and eat here again?
- 結衣 Yuiもちろんです。いつでも来てくださいね。Mochiron desu. Itsudemo kite kudasai ne.Of course. Please come anytime.
