ごちそうさまでした
gochisōsama deshita
In Japanese, "thank you for the meal" is expressed as ごちそうさまでした (gochisōsama deshita).
This phrase is used to express gratitude immediately after finishing a meal to show appreciation to the cook or the host.
What does it mean word for word?
The word ごちそう (gochisō) refers to a feast or a sumptuous meal that required great effort to prepare.
Which one should you use?
The form ごちそうさまでした is the standard way to say the phrase, while dropping the end to say ごちそうさま makes it more casual and suitable for use with friends or family.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the past tense でした (deshita) because the meal has been completed.
How do you pronounce it?
gochisōsama deshita
When do people say it?
It is common practice to say this phrase while performing a small bow or a slight nod of the head. Additionally, while ごちそうさまでした is said after a meal, the related phrase いただきます (itadakimasu) is used before starting a meal to express gratitude for the food.
Did you know?
- The word ちそう (chisō) originally meant to 'run around' in search of ingredients. This reflects a time when providing a meal required the host to physically travel and gather food from various sources.
- While the phrase is a polite way to thank a cook, it is also a way of acknowledging the lives of the plants and animals that were sacrificed to provide the meal.
- In many Japanese households, children are taught to say this phrase even when eating alone to show respect for the food itself.
Examples in context
- おいしかったです。ごちそうさまでした。Oishikatta desu. Gochisousama deshita.It was 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
Misaki and Hiroto are finishing lunch at a restaurant.
- 美咲 Misakiとてもおいしかったです。Totemo oishikatta desu.It was very delicious.
- 大翔 Hirotoそれはよかったです。Sore wa yokatta desu.I'm glad to hear that.
- 美咲 Misakiごちそうさまでした。Gochisousama deshita.Thank you for the meal.
- 大翔 Hirotoまた来ましょう。Mata kimashou.Let's come again.
