2 Quick Tips About いただきます and ごちそうさま

At a Glance

Yuka

I saw a foreigner at lunch bow their head and say いただきます perfectly — it was so lovely!

Rei

It really is a beautiful custom. Most foreigners know the word but don’t know what it actually means or where it comes from.

Yuka

And ごちそうさまでした — I always forget that one after the meal!

Rei

Let’s dive into the meaning, the gesture, and exactly how and when to say both!

What Does いただきます Mean?

いただきます comes from the verb いただく (itadaku), which is the humble form of “to receive” or “to eat/drink.” The ます ending makes it polite present tense: “I humbly receive.” The full feeling is a grateful acknowledgment of everything that went into the meal — the person who cooked it, the farmers who grew the food, and the lives of the plants and animals that were given up so you could eat.

There is no single English equivalent. “Let’s eat,” “Bon appétit,” or “Grace” all capture fragments of it, but none carry the same depth of gratitude toward food, people, and life itself.

You say いただきます:

– Before every meal, at home, in a restaurant, at school, at someone else’s house
– Before drinking (especially in a formal toast: かんぱい！is followed immediately by いただきます)
– Even when eating alone — it is a personal expression of gratitude, not just a social ritual

The Gesture: Hands Together

Most Japanese people bring their hands together in front of them — palms touching, fingers pointing forward — when saying いただきます. This gesture (合掌, gashou) comes from Buddhist tradition and expresses reverence and gratitude. It is not mandatory, but it is very common at home and in traditional settings.

In restaurants, you will often see Japanese customers do this quietly before picking up their chopsticks. As a foreign visitor, making this gesture will be warmly appreciated — it shows you respect the custom.

What Does ごちそうさまでした Mean?

ごちそうさまでした (gochisousama deshita) is said after the meal. The word ご馳走 (gochisou) has a fascinating etymology: 馳走 literally means “running around” — specifically, the running around a host had to do in ancient times to gather ingredients and prepare a feast for guests. Saying ごちそうさまでした honors that effort: “Thank you for running around to prepare this for me.”

In casual speech, you will often hear the shorter ごちそうさま (dropping でした), which is perfectly natural among family and friends.

ごちそうさまでした！とても美味しかったです。
Gochisousama deshita! Totemo oishikatta desu.
Thank you for the meal! It was delicious.

When leaving a restaurant, saying ごちそうさまでした to the staff as you leave is considered polite and genuinely appreciated — it tells them the meal was good.

At Home, School, and Restaurants

Common Learner Questions

Do I have to say it? In Japan, not saying いただきます before eating — especially at someone’s home — can come across as slightly rude or careless. In a restaurant alone, no one will police you, but saying it is always appreciated.

What if I forget? You can always say it a moment late, or just say it quietly to yourself. The spirit matters more than perfect timing.

Is it religious? The origins are tied to Buddhism, but today it is a secular cultural custom practiced by Japanese people of all backgrounds (or no religious background at all).

Quick Quiz

Test yourself! Choose いただきます or ごちそうさまでした:

1. You sit down at a restaurant and your ramen arrives. You pick up your chopsticks and say… (______)
2. You finish dinner at your Japanese friend’s home and want to thank them. (______)
3. You are about to eat your convenience store bento alone at your desk. (______)
4. You leave a sushi restaurant and want to thank the chef. (______)
5. The school lunch period starts and the teacher nods to the class. (______)

Answers: 1. いただきます 2. ごちそうさまでした 3. いただきます 4. ごちそうさまでした 5. いただきます

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