ごちそうさまでした
gochisousama deshita
In Japanese, "thank you for meal" is expressed as ごちそうさまでした (gochisousama deshita).
This phrase is used specifically after finishing a meal to show appreciation to the cook or the person who provided the food. It conveys the sentiment of "Thank you for the feast."
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is derived from the noun gochisou, which means a feast or a lavish meal, expressing that one has been treated to such a meal.
Which one should you use?
While ごちそうさまでした is used after finishing a meal, it should not be confused with いただきます, which is the standard phrase used immediately before starting a meal to say "I gratefully receive."
How does it change in a sentence?
The addition of deshita (the past tense of desu) makes the phrase polite. Dropping deshita to use only ごちそうさま makes the expression informal. You can also combine the casual form with other words, such as ごちそうさま、おいしかった, which is an informal expression.
How do you pronounce it?
gochisousama deshita
Did you know?
- While usually said to people, ごちそうさまでした is often said to the food itself or the ingredients to thank the plants and animals that gave their lives for the meal.
- The word chisou in gochisousama originally referred to the act of running around to gather ingredients and prepare a meal. Saying this phrase acknowledges the physical effort and hustle the cook put in to provide the food.
- In Japanese culture, it is common to place your palms together in a prayer-like gesture called 合掌 (gasshou) while saying ごちそうさまでした to show deep gratitude.
Examples in context
- 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.
Example conversation
A young woman and man are finishing lunch at a small cafe.
- 陽葵 Himariごちそうさまでした。gochisousama deshita.Thank you for the meal.
- 健太 Kentaいえいえ、また来ましょう。ie ie, mata kimashou.No problem, let's come again.
- 陽葵 Himariはい、次は別の料理を食べたいです。hai, tsugi wa betsu no ryouri o tabetai desu.Yes, I want to try a different dish next time.
- 健太 Kentaいいですね。帰りましょうか。ii desu ne. kaerimashou ka.That sounds good. Shall we head back?
