Polite to Host
Cultural · Dining
You
ごちそうさまでした。とても美味しかったです。
ごちそうさまでした。とてもおいしかったです。
Thank you for the wonderful meal. It was absolutely delicious.
Romaji: Gochisōsama deshita. Totemo oishikatta desu. / Reply Romaji: Sore wa yokatta. Mata dōzo.
Reply
それはよかった。またどうぞ。
それはよかった。またどうぞ。
I'm so glad! Please come again.
Gesture & etiquette
Place your hands together briefly (as if in light prayer) while saying 'gochisōsama deshita' — this echoes the 'itadakimasu' gesture at the start of the meal. Make genuine eye contact with the host while adding the compliment.
Always say 'gochisōsama deshita' after eating — to a host, at a restaurant, even alone. To a host specifically, follow up with a compliment ('oishikatta'). The phrase literally means 'it was a feast,' acknowledging both the effort and the food.