ごちそうさまでした
gochisōsama deshita
The phrase "thank you for this meal" in Japanese is ごちそうさまでした (gochisōsama deshita).
This phrase is used to express gratitude after finishing a meal. To express that a meal was exceptionally delicious, you can use the formal expression 大変美味しくいただきました. It is customary to say いただきます before starting a meal to express gratitude for the food.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built around the noun ごちそう (gochisō), which refers to a feast or a meal that has been prepared with great effort.
Which one should you use?
The informal version of 'Gochisōsama deshita' is ごちそうさま, which is a more casual version used with friends or family.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the past tense でした because the act of eating the meal is completed when the phrase is spoken.
How do you pronounce it?
gochisōsama deshita
When do people say it?
It is customary to say this phrase after finishing a meal as a sign of respect for the ingredients and the person who prepared the food.
Did you know?
- The root of the phrase, ごちそう (gochisō), is derived from the verb 'to run around', specifically the idea of running through the streets to gather ingredients for a guest.
- When saying ごちそうさまでした, many Japanese people will place their hands together in a prayer-like gesture, known as 'gassho', to show sincerity.
- While used today for any meal, ごちそう was originally reserved for lavish banquets. Using it for a simple daily meal reflects a cultural shift toward gratitude for all food regardless of cost.
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.
- あ、ごちそうさまでした！A, gochisousama deshita!Oh, thank you for the meal!
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are finishing lunch at a small restaurant.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さん、お昼ご飯はどうでしたか？Yui-san, ohirugohan wa dou deshita ka?Yui, how was lunch?
- 結衣 Yuiすごく美味しかったです。ごちそうさまでした。Sugoku oishikatta desu. Gochisousama deshita.It was very delicious. Thank you for the meal.
- 健太 Kenta良かったです。私もごちそうさまでした。Yokatta desu. Watashi mo gochisousama deshita.I'm glad. Thank you for the meal, too.
- 結衣 Yuiまた来たいですね。Mata kitai desu ne.I want to come here again.
