ごちそうさまでした
gochisousama deshita
Thank you for the meal (after eating)
Phrase in 30 Seconds
A essential polite phrase said immediately after finishing a meal to thank the host, chef, or the food itself.
- Means: 'It was a feast' or 'Thank you for the meal.'
- Used in: Restaurants, homes, or when someone treats you to food.
- Don't confuse: With 'Itadakimasu,' which is said BEFORE you start eating.
Explanation at your level:
मतलब
A polite phrase said after finishing a meal, expressing gratitude.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
It is common to join your hands in a prayer-like gesture (gassho) while saying this phrase, though it is less strictly required than with 'Itadakimasu.' The 'Rule of Three' for gratitude: Say it after the meal, at the door, and the next time you meet. Failing to do the third one is a common mistake for foreigners. Children are taught to say this in unison after school lunches (kyushoku) to thank the nutritionists and cooks. People often use the hashtag #ごちそうさまでした when posting photos of empty plates or the end of a nice dinner on Instagram.
The Restaurant Exit
Even if you don't see the chef, shouting a polite 'Gochisousama deshita!' toward the kitchen as you leave is considered very 'kakkoii' (cool) and polite.
Don't forget the 'Deshita'
Dropping 'deshita' with your boss or a stranger can sound a bit too casual or even slightly rude, like saying 'Thanks' instead of 'Thank you very much.'
मतलब
A polite phrase said after finishing a meal, expressing gratitude.
The Restaurant Exit
Even if you don't see the chef, shouting a polite 'Gochisousama deshita!' toward the kitchen as you leave is considered very 'kakkoii' (cool) and polite.
Don't forget the 'Deshita'
Dropping 'deshita' with your boss or a stranger can sound a bit too casual or even slightly rude, like saying 'Thanks' instead of 'Thank you very much.'
The Slang Nuance
If you hear someone say 'Gochisousama' when they aren't eating, look around—they are probably teasing a couple!
खुद को परखो
Choose the correct phrase to say AFTER you finish your meal at a restaurant.
{食事|しょくじ}が{終|お}わりました。何と{言|い}いますか？
'Gochisousama deshita' is the phrase for after a meal. 'Itadakimasu' is for before.
Fill in the blank to thank your boss for the lunch they bought you yesterday.
{部長|ぶちょう}、{昨日|きのう}は＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿。
When someone treats you, using 'Gochisousama deshita' is the most appropriate way to show gratitude for the meal.
Match the phrase variation to the correct situation.
1. {御馳走|ごちそう}さま / 2. {御馳走|ごちそう}さまでした / 3. {御馳走|ごちそう}さん
Full form for superiors, short form for family, 'san' form for casual masculine speech.
🎉 स्कोर: /3
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Who are you thanking?
People
- • The Chef
- • The Farmer
- • The Host
Nature
- • The Ingredients
- • The Sun/Rain
- • The Animals
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालYes. The phrase thanks the effort of the cook and the sacrifice of the ingredients, not just the taste.
Technically no, but some people jokingly say it to the machine if they are very thirsty!
Many Japanese people still say it quietly to themselves as a form of mindfulness.
It's a great way to practice! If you're at a Japanese restaurant abroad, the staff will love it.
'Deshita' makes it formal and polite. Without it, it's casual and used for friends and family.
If you cooked, say 'Osomatsusama deshita.' If you just ate together, say 'Gochisousama deshita' back.
Not literally, but it implies you are finished eating. To say 'I am full,' use 'Onaka ga ippai desu.'
Yes, it's used for any food or drink, even a small candy or a cup of tea.
Yes, putting your hands together (like praying) and a small bow is traditional.
Because the act of providing and eating the meal is now in the past.
संबंधित मुहावरे
いただきます
contrastI humbly receive (said before a meal).
お{粗末|そまつ}さまでした
specialized formIt was just a poor meal (host's reply).
{御馳走|ごちそう}する
builds onTo treat someone to a meal.
{美味|おい}しかったです
similarIt was delicious.
कहाँ इस्तेमाल करें
At a Ramen Shop
Customer: {御馳走|ごちそう}さまでした！{美味|おい}しかったです。
Chef: ありがとうございました！またどうぞ。
At a Friend's House
You: {御馳走|ごちそう}さまでした。お{腹|なか}がいっぱいです。
Friend: お{粗末|そまつ}さまでした。
Business Lunch
Junior: {部長|ぶちょう}、{今日|きょう}は{御馳走|ごちそう}さまでした。
Manager: いいえ、また{行|い}きましょう。
On a Date
Partner A: {今日|きょう}は{楽|たの}しかったです。{御馳走|ごちそう}さまでした。
Partner B: こちらこそ、ありがとうございました。
Leaving a Cafe
You: （レジで）{御馳走|ごちそう}さまでした。
Staff: ありがとうございました。お{気|き}をつけて。
Reacting to a Lovey-Dovey Couple
Friend: 見て、彼氏からこんな素敵なプレゼントもらったの！
You: はいはい、{御馳走|ごちそう}さま！
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Go-Cheesy-Summer' (Gochisou-sama) party where you ate so much cheese you had to say thank you!
Visual Association
Imagine a chef running (chisou) around a kitchen with a giant 'Go' sign and a 'Sama' crown, gathering ingredients just for you.
Rhyme
When the meal is done and you've had your fun, say Gochisousama to everyone!
Story
You are at a restaurant. You see the chef running around (Chisou) to make your food. You add 'Go' and 'Sama' to show him respect. When you finish (deshita), you combine them to thank him for his hard work.
Word Web
चैलेंज
Next time you finish a snack or a meal, say 'Gochisousama deshita' out loud, even if you are alone, and do a small bow.
In Other Languages
Thank you for the meal / I'm full.
English lacks a ritualized past-tense phrase used even when eating alone.
Muchas gracias, estaba muy rico.
Spanish focuses on the sensory pleasure of the food rather than the 'running around' effort.
Merci pour ce délicieux repas.
French is more focused on the social interaction with the host.
Danke für das Essen / Es hat gut geschmeckt.
German lacks the honorific 'sama' structure applied to the meal itself.
الحمد لله (Alhamdulillah)
The target of gratitude is divine in Arabic, whereas it is human/nature-centric in Japanese.
我吃饱了 (Wǒ chī bǎole)
Chinese focuses on the result (satiety) rather than the process (the feast).
잘 먹었습니다 (Jal meogeossseumnida)
Korean focuses on the act of eating well, while Japanese focuses on the 'feast' provided.
Obrigado pela refeição.
Portuguese doesn't have the 'running around' etymological nuance.
Easily Confused
Learners often swap the two because they are both 'meal phrases.'
Remember that 'deshita' is past tense, so it must come at the end.
Learners think saying 'I'm full' is enough to end a meal.
In Japan, 'I'm full' describes your stomach, but 'Gochisousama' describes your gratitude. Use both!
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल (10)
Yes. The phrase thanks the effort of the cook and the sacrifice of the ingredients, not just the taste.
Technically no, but some people jokingly say it to the machine if they are very thirsty!
Many Japanese people still say it quietly to themselves as a form of mindfulness.
It's a great way to practice! If you're at a Japanese restaurant abroad, the staff will love it.
'Deshita' makes it formal and polite. Without it, it's casual and used for friends and family.
If you cooked, say 'Osomatsusama deshita.' If you just ate together, say 'Gochisousama deshita' back.
Not literally, but it implies you are finished eating. To say 'I am full,' use 'Onaka ga ippai desu.'
Yes, it's used for any food or drink, even a small candy or a cup of tea.
Yes, putting your hands together (like praying) and a small bow is traditional.
Because the act of providing and eating the meal is now in the past.
