Itadakimasu and Gochisosama: The Phrases Around Meals

Two short phrases open and close nearly every Japanese meal, and each carries a quiet note of gratitude.

Published October 18, 2026 at 10:54 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Itadakimasu is said just before eating and gochisosama deshita just after. The first expresses thanks for the food, the people who prepared it and the ingredients themselves. The second thanks the host or cook for the meal. Both are said by children and adults, at home and in restaurants, often with a small bow or pressed palms.

What itadakimasu means

Itadakimasu comes from a verb that means to receive humbly. When you say it before a meal, you are, in effect, saying that you gratefully receive this. The phrase is short and plain, yet it carries several layers of meaning. It thanks the cook, the farmers and fishers who produced the ingredients, and the plants and animals whose lives made the meal possible. For many people it is also a moment to pause before eating.

There is no strict religious meaning, though it overlaps with Buddhist and Shinto attitudes toward food and nature. Most families treat it as simple good manners taught in early childhood. Hearing the phrase at the start of a meal gives the table a shared signal that it is time to begin. In a group, people often say it together, and nobody starts until everyone has been served and has spoken.

How and when to say it

Say itadakimasu just before the first bite. Many people place their palms together in front of the chest, lower their head slightly and say the phrase in a calm voice. You do not need to speak loudly, and you do not need to bow deeply. At home, someone might say it quietly while picking up chopsticks. At a restaurant, a soft murmur is enough.

The phrase is said even when eating alone, as a personal habit. It applies to everything from a full course dinner to a convenience store sandwich. Some people also say it before drinks, though not always. If a host has prepared food for you, saying it with a smile is a warm way to show appreciation. When the meal is served in courses, you generally say it once at the start, not before every plate.

Some travelers wonder whether the phrase should be said at buffets or when sharing dishes. A quiet itadakimasu at the table, before you begin eating your plate, is enough. If you are served by your host, wait until they sit and say it themselves, then join in. The aim is to start the meal together, in the same relaxed way, with no one rushing ahead.

Gochisosama deshita and its origin

At the end of a meal, the polite phrase is gochisosama deshita, often shortened to gochisosama. It means thank you for the feast. The word chiso originally referred to running around to gather ingredients for a meal, and the polite prefix go and ending sama were added to honor the effort of the host. In other words, you are acknowledging that someone worked to put the food on the table.

Say it after finishing, with a small bow or a nod. Again, there is no need for a large gesture. Many people press their palms together just as at the start. At home, it is customary to say it before leaving the table, and children are taught to say it every time. In casual settings with friends, the short form gochisosama is common, while a more formal setting calls for the full phrase.

At home, in schools and in the workplace

In Japanese homes, the phrases frame family meals. Parents encourage children to say them, and the habit often lasts a lifetime. In schools, lunch is served in classrooms, and students recite the phrases together before and after eating, often led by a lunch duty student. The routine teaches gratitude and shared responsibility, since pupils also serve and clean up. Many parents model the habit rather than lecture.

At workplaces, colleagues eating lunch together may say the words quietly, particularly when sharing a meal. At business dinners, the host usually says itadakimasu or invites guests to begin, and guests thank the host at the end. Visiting someone's home, it is polite to say the phrases clearly and to compliment the food. The words are small, but they signal respect for the people around the table.

At restaurants and when you are the guest

In restaurants, diners often say itadakimasu quietly before eating. When leaving, people frequently say gochisosama deshita to the staff, especially at small family-run places or counters where the cook is nearby. The staff usually respond with arigatou gozaimashita, meaning thank you very much. This simple exchange is considered friendly and appreciated. The exchange takes only a second. Staff tend to notice and smile.

If you are treated to a meal, say itadakimasu with a smile, and at the end say gochisosama deshita to your host. You may add a comment such as oishikatta desu, meaning it was delicious. Offering to pay your share is polite, though a host will often insist. A thank-you message the next day is a nice touch. Chain restaurants and busy casual spots may not expect the phrase, but using it is never wrong.

Related phrases worth knowing

Several other phrases appear around meals. Dozo meshiagatte kudasai means please eat, and a host may say it to invite you to begin. Osomatsusama deshita is a humble reply from a host after guests say gochisosama, meaning it was only a simple meal. Oishii desu means it is delicious and is a compliment that cooks love to hear. Each one is short and easy to remember.

At the start of a drinking party, kanpai is the word used for a toast. When serving someone, you might say dozo, please, with a small gesture. If you want to ask for the check, say okanjo onegaishimasu. Learning two or three of these phrases can make dining more enjoyable. People generally respond warmly when visitors make an effort, even if the pronunciation is not perfect.

Children learn these phrases through songs and picture books, and you may hear them in anime and television dramas. Listening to the way characters say them is a good way to catch the tone. Notice how the first syllable is gentle and the ending is soft. Repeating them aloud when you eat Japanese food at home is a simple way to make them feel natural.

Tips for visitors

You do not need to be perfect. A quiet itadakimasu and a friendly gochisosama deshita will be well received. Pronounce itadakimasu as ee-tah-dah-kee-mahs, with the final u nearly silent, and gochisosama as goh-chee-soh-sah-mah. Say them calmly and with a smile. If you forget, nobody will mind, though remembering is a nice sign of respect. Practice a few times before your trip.

Pair the phrases with other good habits. Use the damp towel, called oshibori, to clean your hands before eating. Avoid sticking chopsticks upright in rice, and finish what you take. When you finish, place your chopsticks neatly on the rest and tidy your dishes if the setting calls for it. Show appreciation to the cook if possible. Small gestures of this kind make a meal in Japan feel warm and friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does itadakimasu mean?

It comes from a verb meaning to humbly receive and is said before eating to express thanks for the food, the cook and the ingredients. It is not strictly religious. Many people press their palms together and say it softly before taking the first bite.

When do you say gochisosama deshita?

Say it after finishing your meal, either to your host, to the cook or to the restaurant staff when leaving. It means thank you for the feast. In casual settings the shortened form gochisosama is common, while a formal setting calls for the full phrase.

Do you say these phrases in restaurants?

Yes, though quietly. Many people say itadakimasu softly before eating, and they say gochisosama deshita to staff on their way out, especially at small family-run places. The staff typically answer with thanks. In large chain restaurants it is optional, but still a pleasant gesture.

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