Which one should you use?
While ごちそうさまでした translates to "thank you for the feast", you may also use おいしかったです to say "it was delicious". For a more casual emphasis among peers, you can use うめえ. ごちそうさま is a shorter version of ごちそうさまでした used with close friends and family.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ごちそうさまでした is a formal way to show appreciation for the dining experience. おいしかったです is also a formal way to express satisfaction with a meal. For informal situations, you can use おいしかった, the casual form of おいしかったです or the shorter ごちそうさま with family or close friends. うめえ is an informal expression used among peers to emphasize how delicious the food was.
How does it change in a sentence?
Dropping deshita makes the phrase informal and suitable for use with family or close friends.
How do you pronounce it?
gochisōsama deshita
When do people say it?
It is common practice to say ごちそうさまでした aloud or even slightly bow while saying it to signal the end of a meal.
Did you know?
- The word 'gochisō' in ごちそうさまでした contains a character for 'running', referring to the historical practice of servants running around to prepare and serve many different dishes.
- In traditional Japanese etiquette, saying ごちそうさま is the essential counterpart to いただきます, creating a linguistic 'bracket' that opens and closes the dining experience.
- In Japan, saying ごちそうさま is often accompanied by placing both palms together in a prayer-like gesture. This shows a deeper sense of gratitude to the ingredients and the provider.
Examples in context
- ごちそうさまでした。Gochisousama deshita.That was delicious.
- あぁ、ごちそうさまでした！Aa, gochisousama deshita!Ah, that was delicious!
- お母さん、ごちそうさまでした。Okaasan, gochisousama deshita.Mom, that was delicious.
Example conversation
A young woman and man are finishing lunch at home.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣、料理は美味しかった？Yui, ryouri wa oishikatta?Yui, was the food delicious?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、ごちそうさまでした。Hai, gochisousama deshita.Yes, that was delicious.
- 大翔 Hiroto喜んでもらえて良かったです。Yorokonde moraete yokatta desu.I'm glad you enjoyed it.
- 結衣 Yui大翔さんの料理は最高です！Hiroto-san no ryouri wa saikou desu!Hiroto's cooking is the best!
