Itadakimasu and Gochisousama: Before and After a Meal

Before the first bite

いただきます comes from a humble expression for receiving. At a meal, it acknowledges receiving the food and the efforts behind it. It is something the person about to eat says, rather than an instruction a host gives to make everyone start.

You may see someone bring their hands together as they say it. Practices differ among households and settings, so treat it as an expression of appreciation rather than a performance requiring everyone to make an identical gesture.

• Source: JNTO: Japanese food etiquette

After finishing the meal

ごちそうさまでした is a polite expression of thanks after eating. The shorter ごちそうさま (gochisousama) is common in familiar settings. You might say the longer version to the person who cooked for you or to restaurant staff as you leave.

The phrase is about the meal you received. It does not literally mean “please bring the bill.” If you need to ask to pay, use お会計をお願いします (okaikei o onegaishimasu, the bill, please) instead.

Add a specific compliment

おいしかったです (oishikatta desu) means “It was delicious.” After a meal, おいしかったです。ごちそうさまでした says both that you enjoyed the food and that you appreciate it. You can also name the dish: スープがおいしかったです (suupu ga oishikatta desu, the soup was delicious).

Before eating, do not use the past-tense compliment to describe food you have not tasted. おいしそうです (oishisou desu) means “It looks delicious” and fits that earlier moment.

Put the phrases in order

Imagine that lunch has just been served. Say いただきます before beginning. While eating, you can say おいしいです (oishii desu, it is delicious). After finishing, say ごちそうさまでした.

Practice the three moments with a meal you actually eat. Connecting each phrase to an action helps you remember when it belongs. You do not need to insert all three into every restaurant interaction; the exercise teaches their different jobs.