ごちそう
gochisou
The Japanese word for "viand" is ごちそう (gochisou).
While ごちそう can refer to an item of food, it is most commonly used to describe a feast, a special meal or a delicious treat.
Meaning: an item of food (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
gochisou
Did you know?
- In ancient times, ごちそう referred to the act of preparing a meal by running to the market to get the freshest ingredients. The 'sou' in the word refers to the effort of preparing or arranging.
- After finishing a meal, it is customary to say ごちそうさまでした (gochisousama deshita) to express gratitude to the person who prepared the food or the ingredients themselves.
- The prefix ご (go) is an honorific that elevates the food or the person who prepared it. Without it, the word ちそう is rarely used in modern conversation.
Examples in context
- 今日の夕食は豪華なごちそうですね。Kyō no yūshoku wa gōka na gochisō desu ne.Today's dinner is a luxurious feast, isn't it?
- 誕生日に、特別なごちそうを作りました。Tanjōbi ni, tokubetsu na gochisō o tsukurimashita.I made a special feast for the birthday.
Example conversation
A woman prepares a special meal for her partner at home.
- 陽葵 Himari健太さんの好きなものを並べたごちそうですよ。Kenta-san no suki na mono o narabeta gochisō desu yo.It is a feast of your favorite things, Kenta.
- 健太 Kentaわあ、すごいごちそうだ！ありがとう、陽葵。Wā, sugoi gochisō da! Arigatō, Himari.Wow, what a great feast! Thank you, Himari.
- 陽葵 Himariゆっくり食べてくださいね。Yukkuri tabete kudasai ne.Please enjoy it slowly.
- 健太 Kentaいただきます！Itadakimasu!Let's eat!
