ごちそうさまでした
gochisousama deshita
In Japanese, "thank you for lunch" is expressed as ごちそうさまでした (gochisousama deshita).
This phrase is used to express gratitude and respect after finishing a meal. It is commonly used both at home and in restaurants to signal the end of a meal and to thank the cook or the host for the food.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from ごちそう, which literally means a feast or a treat.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase informal, you can drop the でした from the end, resulting in ごちそうさま.
How do you pronounce it?
gochisousama deshita
When do people say it?
In Japan, it is common practice to say this aloud after a meal. Doing so serves as a sign of politeness and shows respect for both the food and the person who prepared it.
Did you know?
- The term ごちそう is historically linked to the act of running around to gather ingredients for a guest. It literally implies that someone exerted great effort and traveled far to prepare a meal for you.
- In some traditional settings, people will clasp their hands together in a prayer-like gesture while saying ごちそうさまでした. This shows a deep, spiritual appreciation for the food and the life that was given for the meal.
- If you are eating in a restaurant, you might say ごちそうさまでした to the staff, but it is also common to direct the gratitude toward the ingredients themselves. This acknowledges the cycle of nature and the life of the plants or animals consumed.
Examples in context
- ご馳走様でした。ありがとうございました。Thank you for the feast, thank you very much.
- 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.
- あ、ごちそうさまでした！A, gochisousama deshita!Oh, thank you for the meal!
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta have finished eating lunch at a restaurant.
- 結衣 Yuiごちそうさまでした。Gochisousama deshita.Thank you for the meal.
- 健太 Kentaお腹いっぱいになったね。Onaka ippai ni natta ne.I'm full, aren't you?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、とてもおいしかったよ。Un, totemo oishikatta yo.Yes, it was very delicious.
- 健太 Kentaよかった。店を出ようか。Yokatta. Mise o deyō ka.Good. Shall we leave the restaurant?
