ごちそうさまでした
gochisousama deshita
In Japanese, "thank you for dinner" is expressed as ごちそうさまでした (gochisousama deshita).
The phrase ごちそうさまでした means "Thank you for the meal." It is used specifically after finishing a meal to acknowledge the effort of the cook or the provider of the food.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding でした to the end of ごちそうさま makes the phrase polite. Dropping でした makes the phrase informal.
How do you pronounce it?
gochisousama deshita
When do people say it?
It is common practice to say this aloud or even slightly bow while saying it to show respect to the host or the person who prepared the food.
Did you know?
- Historically, the phrase refers to the host 'running around' to gather ingredients and prepare the meal, even if they stayed in one place.
- The phrase acknowledges not just the cook, but the ingredients themselves, reflecting a Buddhist influence that respects the life of the plants and animals consumed.
- In some traditional settings, saying ごちそうさま is accompanied by placing both palms together in a prayer-like gesture, known as 合掌.
Examples in context
- 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.
- 母さん、ごちそうさまでした。Kaasan, gochisousama deshita.Mom, thank you for dinner.
Example conversation
Yuta and Yui have finished eating a homemade meal at home.
- 陽太 Yota結衣、ごちそうさまでした。Yui, gochisousama deshita.Yui, thank you for the meal.
- 結衣 Yuiいえいえ、陽太。お腹いっぱいになった？Iie iie, Yuta. Onaka ippai ni natta?No problem, Yuta. Are you full?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、すごく美味しかったです。Hai, sugoku oishikatta desu.Yes, it was very delicious.
- 結衣 Yuiよかった。また作るね。Yokatta. Mata tsukuru ne.I'm glad. I'll make it again.
