ごちそうさまでした
gochisōsama deshita
The English phrase "thank you for the meal" is expressed in Japanese as ごちそうさまでした (gochisōsama deshita).
ごちそうさまでした is used to express gratitude after finishing a meal. It is the most common and widely used way to say "thank you for the meal" and is appropriate to use both at restaurants and in homes to acknowledge the effort of the person who prepared or provided the food.
What does it mean word for word?
The root of the phrase, ごちそう, literally refers to a feast or a meal that required great effort to prepare.
Which one should you use?
ごちそうさまでした is the standard full form, while ごちそうさま is a shortened version.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the past tense でした because the gratitude is expressed after the meal has been completed.
How do you pronounce it?
gochisōsama deshita
When do people say it?
It is customary to say this phrase aloud or as a silent mental acknowledgment immediately after finishing a meal.
Did you know?
- The word ちそう in ごちそうさま originally meant 'running around' to gather high-quality ingredients. It describes the physical effort the host spent scouting for food before the guests arrived.
- While the phrase is used for all meals, in certain Buddhist-influenced contexts, the sentiment of the phrase is directed toward the 'life' that was sacrificed to provide the meal.
- In many Japanese households, children are taught to say ごちそうさまでした while bowing slightly to the empty table. This shows respect not just to the cook, but to the ingredients themselves.
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.
- お母さん、ごちそうさまでした。Okaasan, gochisousama deshita.Mom, thank you for the meal.
Example conversation
Hiyori and Daito have finished eating dinner at home.
- 陽葵 Himariごちそうさまでした。Gochisousama deshita.Thank you for the meal.
- 大翔 Hirotoよかった。美味しかったかな？Yokatta. Oishikatta kana?I'm glad. Was it tasty?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、最高だったよ！Un, saikou datta yo!Yeah, it was the best!
- 大翔 Hirotoそう？嬉しいよ。Sou? Ureshii yo.Really? I'm happy to hear that.
