いただきます
itadakimasu
In Japanese, "thank you for this food" is said as いただきます (itadakimasu).
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 [this food]".
How do you pronounce it?
itadakimasu
When do people say it?
It is customary to join one's hands together in a prayer-like gesture while saying いただきます before eating.
Did you know?
- While いただきます is often translated as 'thank you for the food', it is grammatically a verb meaning 'I humbly receive'. It acknowledges not just the cook, but the lives of the plants and animals that were sacrificed to provide the meal.
- The verb inside いただきます is the same one used when a person of lower status offers something to a superior, reflecting a deep cultural emphasis on humility.
- There is a mirrored phrase ごちそうさま used after the meal, which literally refers to the 'trouble' or 'effort' the host went through to prepare the feast.
Examples in context
- さあ、いただきます！saa, itadakimasu!Now, let's eat!
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are about to eat a meal at home.
- 美咲 Misakiいただきます。itadakimasu.Thank you for this food.
- 健太 Kentaゆっくり食べてね。yukkuri tabete ne.Please enjoy your meal.
- 美咲 Misaki健太さんの料理は最高です。Kenta-san no ryouri wa saikou desu.Kenta, your cooking is the best.
- 健太 Kentaそう言ってもらえて嬉しいよ。sou itte moraete ureshii yo.I'm happy to hear you say that.
