いただきます
itadakimasu
The closest Japanese phrase for have a good meal is いただきます (itadakimasu), which you say yourself just before you start eating.
Japanese has no exact wish like have a good meal. Instead, each person says いただきます before eating, as a way of giving thanks for the food.
Which one should you use?
To invite someone else to start eating, a host says どうぞ、召し上がってください, please enjoy your meal. After eating, people say ごちそうさまでした to thank the person who made or paid for the food.
How do you pronounce it?
It is read itadakimasu. The final u is very light and often almost silent.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes use いただきます as a wish said to other people at the table. It is actually said by the person who is about to eat.
When do people say it?
Literally it means I humbly receive. It expresses thanks to the cook and also to the plants and animals that became the meal.
Did you know?
- While いただきます thanks the life given, the closing phrase ごちそうさまでした literally refers to the 'run around' or effort the cook made to gather the ingredients.
- When saying いただきます, it is common to press your hands together in a prayer-like gesture called 手を合わせ (te o awase). This physical movement reinforces the spiritual aspect of thanking the ingredients.
- The word 'itadaku' is the humble form of the verb 'morau', meaning 'to receive'. By using this specific verb, the speaker is lowering their own status to show profound respect to the provider of the food.
Examples in context
- さあ、いただきます！saa, itadakimasu!Alright, let's eat!
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are sitting down for dinner at home.
- 健太 Kenta今日の夕飯はおいしそうだね。Kyou no yuuhan wa oishisou da ne.Tonight's dinner looks delicious.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう。早く食べよう。Arigato. Hayaku tabeyou.Thank you. Let's eat quickly.
- 健太 Kentaいただきます。Itadakimasu.I'll start eating now.
