いただきます
itadakimasu
In Japanese, いただきます (itadakimasu) is used to say thank you for a meal.
いただきます is a phrase used to express gratitude before starting a meal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is the humble form of the verb 'to receive', literally meaning 'I humbly receive'.
Which one should you use?
While いただきます is said before a meal, ごちそうさま is the standard phrase used after finishing a meal to express gratitude.
How do you pronounce it?
itadakimasu
When do people say it?
This phrase is said before eating to show gratitude for the food and the lives of the plants or animals consumed. It is customary to join your hands together in a prayer-like gesture while saying this phrase before starting a meal.
Did you know?
- While いただきます focuses on receiving the food, the counterpart ごちそうさま used after the meal comes from the word 'chiso', which refers to a banquet or a feast. It literally thanks the host for the 'vigorous' effort of preparing the feast.
- The concept of 'receiving' in いただきます implies a debt of gratitude not just to the cook, but to the farmers, fishers and transporters who made the meal possible.
- If you are eating alone, you can still say いただきます out loud. It is considered a way to maintain mindfulness and respect for the food even in the absence of other people.
Examples in context
- さあ、いただきます！saa, itadakimasu!All right, let's eat!
- いただきます、とても美味しそうです。itadakimasu, totemo oishisou desu.Thank you for the meal, it looks delicious.
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are about to eat a lunch prepared by a friend.
- 結衣 Yuiいただきます！itadakimasu!Thank you for the meal!
- 蓮 Ren遠慮しないで食べてね、結衣さん。enryo shinaide tabete ne, Yui-san.Please don't hesitate, eat up, Yui.
- 結衣 Yui蓮さんもどうぞ。Ren-san mo douzo.You too, Ren.
- 蓮 Renありがとう、いただきます。arigatou, itadakimasu.Thanks, thank you for the meal.
