召し上がれ
meshagare
The English phrase "enjoy your food" is translated into Japanese as 召し上がれ (meshagare).
召し上がれ is a phrase used by a host or the person who prepared the meal when serving food to others.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is the imperative form of the honorific verb meshiagaru, which means "to eat". Literally, it translates to "please eat (honorific)".
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between the person serving and the person eating. While the person serving says 召し上がれ, the person who is about to eat the food says いただきます, which means "I will receive (the food)".
How do you pronounce it?
meshagare
Did you know?
- The honorific verb 召し上がる is a 'special' verb where the word itself changes completely rather than just adding a prefix or suffix to the standard word for 'eat'.
- While 召し上がれ focuses on the act of eating, the reciprocal phrase いただきます acknowledges the sacrifice of the plants and animals that gave their lives for the meal.
- The word 召し上がる can also mean 'to drink' in honorific contexts, so 召し上がれ can be used when serving a beverage.
Examples in context
- さあ、召し上がれ。Saa, meshiagare.Come, enjoy your food.
- 温かいうちに、召し上がれ。Atatakai uchi ni, meshiagare.Enjoy your food while it's hot.
- 手作りです。召し上がれ！Tezukuri desu. Meshiagare!It's homemade. Enjoy your food!
Example conversation
Misaki serves a homemade meal to Yota at their home.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太君、これ手作りだよ。召し上がれ。Youta-kun, kore tezukuri da yo. Meshiagare.Yota, this is homemade. Enjoy your food.
- 陽太 Yotaわあ、美味しそう！いただきます。Waa, oishisou! Itadakimasu.Wow, it looks delicious! Thank you for the meal.
- 美咲 Misakiゆっくり食べてね。Yukkuri tabete ne.Take your time eating.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとう、美咲さん。Arigatou, Misaki-san.Thanks, Misaki.
