ごちそうさまでした
gochisōsama deshita
In Japanese, the phrase "the food was delicious" is expressed as ごちそうさまでした (gochisōsama deshita).
The phrase ごちそうさまでした is used to thank a host or a cook after finishing a meal. Other ways to express that food was delicious include 美味しかったです, 大変美味しかったです, おいしかった, めちゃくちゃうまかった and めっちゃうまい.
Which one should you use?
美味しかったです and おいしかった both mean "it was delicious," but they differ in formality. 大変美味しかったです is a formal way to say the food was delicious with higher intensity. めちゃくちゃうまかった is an informal and enthusiastic way to say the food was delicious. In the Kansai region, めっちゃうまい is used to convey a strong emphasis on how delicious food was.
How do you pronounce it?
gochisōsama deshita
Did you know?
- The word ごちそう originally referred to the act of running around to gather ingredients and prepare a feast. It literally describes the 'effort' and 'running' the host did to provide the meal.
- When using ごちそうさまでした, it is customary to place your hands together in a prayer-like position known as 'gassho' to show respect.
- In some traditional households, it is common to say ごちそうさま even when eating alone. This serves as a sign of gratitude toward the ingredients and the farmers who grew them.
Examples in context
- 本当にごちそうさまでした。Hontou ni gochisousama deshita.Thank you very much for the meal.
- お母さん、ごちそうさまでした。Okaasan, gochisousama deshita.Thank you for the meal, Mom.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are finishing a meal at a friend's house.
- 健太 Kentaごちそうさまでした。Gochisousama deshita.Thank you for the meal.
- 結衣 Yuiおいしかったですか？Oishikatta desu ka?Was it delicious?
- 健太 Kentaはい、とてもおいしかったです。Hai, totemo oishikatta desu.Yes, it was very delicious.
- 結衣 Yui良かったです。Yokatta desu.I'm glad to hear that.
