A1 Expression औपचारिक

いただきます

itadakimasu

Let's eat/I receive

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A essential Japanese phrase said before eating to show gratitude to the food, the cook, and nature.

  • Means: 'I humbly receive' (gratitude for the meal's life and preparation).
  • Used in: Home dining, restaurants, and when receiving gifts or favors.
  • Don't confuse: Saying it after the meal; use 'Gochisousama' instead.
🙏 + 🍱 = いただきます

Explanation at your level:

This is a set phrase you say before you eat. It is like saying 'Let's eat' but more polite. You say it at home or in restaurants. Just put your hands together and say 'Itadakimasu'. It shows you are happy to have the food.
In Japan, 'Itadakimasu' is an essential expression of gratitude used before meals. It literally means 'I humbly receive.' You use it to thank the person who cooked and the plants or animals that became the food. It is also used when someone gives you a gift.
Beyond a simple mealtime greeting, 'Itadakimasu' is the humble form of the verbs 'to eat' and 'to receive.' It reflects the speaker's humility. While commonly used before eating, it is also appropriate in business contexts when accepting a favor or a physical object from a superior, demonstrating your lower social position in the interaction.
The phrase 'Itadakimasu' encapsulates the Japanese concept of 'kenjougo' (humble language). By using the root 'itadaku,' the speaker metaphorically places the received item above their head, a gesture of supreme respect. It is a vital part of social harmony (wa), ensuring that the balance of gratitude is maintained between the giver and the receiver.
Linguistically, 'Itadakimasu' serves as a performative utterance that transitions a social group into the act of consumption. Its etymological journey from the physical act of 'receiving at the peak' to a standardized linguistic ritual highlights the Meiji-era efforts to unify Japanese etiquette. It functions as a sociolinguistic marker of 'proper' upbringing and cultural literacy.
The semiotics of 'Itadakimasu' extend into the realm of animism and interconnectedness, where the 'humble receipt' is not merely a social contract but a recognition of the 'inochi' (life force) being transferred. From a cognitive linguistics perspective, it frames the act of eating as a passive reception of grace rather than an active consumption of resources, fundamentally altering the speaker's relationship with the environment.

मतलब

A phrase said before eating a meal, expressing gratitude.

🌍

सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि

In Japanese elementary schools, 'itadakimasu' is a collective ritual. Students wait for everyone to be ready, and a designated 'lunch leader' leads the class in saying the phrase together. This instills a sense of community and gratitude from a young age. When receiving a business card (meishi), some professionals might say 'itadakimasu' as they take it with both hands. This treats the card as a valuable gift and shows respect to the person offering it. The phrase is linked to the 'Five Contemplations' (Gokei-no-ge) recited by monks before eating, which include reflecting on the effort that brought the food and whether one's own virtue deserves it. With the rise of 'ohitorisama' (solo activities), many people still perform a small 'itadakimasu' gesture even when alone, showing that the gratitude is directed at the food itself, not just a social performance.

💬

The Gassho Gesture

When saying itadakimasu, place your palms together in front of your chest. This is called 'gassho' and adds a layer of sincerity.

🎯

The 'O-saki ni' Combo

If your food arrives first at a restaurant, say 'O-saki ni itadakimasu' (I'll start ahead of you) to be extra polite.

मतलब

A phrase said before eating a meal, expressing gratitude.

💬

The Gassho Gesture

When saying itadakimasu, place your palms together in front of your chest. This is called 'gassho' and adds a layer of sincerity.

🎯

The 'O-saki ni' Combo

If your food arrives first at a restaurant, say 'O-saki ni itadakimasu' (I'll start ahead of you) to be extra polite.

⚠️

Don't forget the 'u'

While the 'u' is silent, don't cut the 's' sound too short. It should be a crisp 'ss' sound.

खुद को परखो

Match the situation to the correct phrase.

You are at a friend's house and their mother serves you dinner.

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Itadakimasu

You say 'Itadakimasu' before you start eating the meal provided.

Fill in the blank with the correct humble verb.

先生に本を（　　　　）。

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: いただきました

When receiving something from a teacher (superior), you use the humble 'itadakimashita'.

Complete the dialogue.

A: ラーメン、お待たせしました！ B: わあ、おいしそう！ （　　　　）！

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: いただきます

B is about to eat the delicious-looking ramen.

Which of these is NOT a correct use of 'itadakimasu'?

Select the incorrect usage:

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Saying it to your guest to tell them to start eating.

You cannot use 'itadakimasu' for someone else's action. You should say 'Meshiagare' or 'どうぞ'.

🎉 स्कोर: /4

विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स

Who are we thanking?

🌱

Nature

  • • Vegetables
  • • Fish
  • • Sun/Rain
👨‍🍳

People

  • • The Cook
  • • The Farmer
  • • The Server

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

4 सवाल

You don't *have* to, but many Japanese people do it out of habit or as a personal moment of mindfulness. It's a great way to practice!

It has Buddhist and Shinto origins, but for most people today, it is a secular cultural habit like saying 'Bless you' in English.

Yes, especially if someone made it for you or if you are sitting down to enjoy it as a 'break' (oyatsu).

Don't worry! Just say it as soon as you remember, or make sure to say 'Gochisousama' extra clearly at the end.

संबंधित मुहावरे

🔗

ごちそうさまでした

contrast

That was a feast / Thank you for the meal.

🔗

召し上がれ

similar

Enjoy your meal / Please eat.

🔗

頂戴します

specialized form

I humbly receive.

🔗

お先に失礼します

builds on

Excuse me for going first.

कहाँ इस्तेमाल करें

🏠

Family Dinner

Child: おなかすいた！

Parent: はい、どうぞ。みんなで、いただきます！

neutral
🍜

Restaurant with Friends

Friend A: ラーメン、おいしそう！

Friend B: いただきます！

informal
🎁

Receiving a Gift

Colleague: これ、つまらないものですが。

You: ありがとうございます。いただきます。

formal
🏫

School Lunch

Teacher: 手を合わせてください。

Students: いただきます！

neutral
💼

Business Lunch

Client: どうぞ、召し上がってください。

You: では、失礼していただきます。

formal
🍱

Eating Alone

Self: （小声で）いただきます。

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine you are 'EAT-a-duck-i-must' (Itadakimasu) because you are so grateful for the meal!

Visual Association

Picture a small person holding a giant bowl of rice above their head like a crown. The rice is the 'peak' (itadaki) of the mountain.

Rhyme

Before you chew, say itadakimasu to the food and the crew!

Story

A hungry traveler reaches a mountain peak (Itadaki). There, a hermit offers him a magic peach. The traveler lifts the peach to his forehead in thanks and says 'Itadakimasu' before taking a bite.

Word Web

頂く (To receive)食べる (To eat)貰う (To receive)ごちそうさま (Finished eating)謙譲語 (Humble language)命 (Life)感謝 (Gratitude)合掌 (Hands together)

चैलेंज

For the next three meals, put your hands together and say 'Itadakimasu' out loud (or in your head) before your first bite.

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Buen provecho

Itadakimasu is a humble self-action; Buen provecho is a wish for others.

French moderate

Bon appétit

French focuses on the pleasure of eating; Japanese focuses on gratitude for the food's life.

German moderate

Guten Appetit

German is a social wish; Japanese is a personal ritual.

Arabic high

Bismillah

Arabic is explicitly religious (God); Japanese is more animistic/social (nature/cook).

Chinese low

Mànmàn chī

Chinese is host-to-guest hospitality; Japanese is eater-to-universe gratitude.

Korean high

Jal meokgesseumnida

Korean focuses more on the promise to enjoy the meal provided by the host.

Portuguese moderate

Bom proveito

It is a social greeting rather than a personal expression of thanks.

English partial

Let's eat / Grace

English lacks a single, universal, secular-yet-polite phrase for this moment.

Easily Confused

いただきます बनाम 召し上がってください

Learners often use 'itadakimasu' to tell others to eat.

Remember: 'Itadakimasu' is for ME, 'Meshiagatte' is for YOU.

いただきます बनाम もらいます

Both mean 'to receive'.

Use 'itadakimasu' for superiors or formal rituals; use 'moraimasu' for friends.

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल (4)

You don't *have* to, but many Japanese people do it out of habit or as a personal moment of mindfulness. It's a great way to practice!

It has Buddhist and Shinto origins, but for most people today, it is a secular cultural habit like saying 'Bless you' in English.

Yes, especially if someone made it for you or if you are sitting down to enjoy it as a 'break' (oyatsu).

Don't worry! Just say it as soon as you remember, or make sure to say 'Gochisousama' extra clearly at the end.

क्या यह मददगार था?

टिप्पणियाँ (0)

टिप्पणी के लिए लॉगिन करें
अभी तक कोई टिप्पणी नहीं। अपने विचार साझा करने वाले पहले व्यक्ति बनें!