Universal
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 feast. It was absolutely delicious.
Romaji: Gochisousama deshita. Totemo oishikatta desu. / Reply Romaji: Arigatou gozaimasu. Mata douzo.
Reply
ありがとうございます。またどうぞ。
ありがとうございます。またどうぞ。
Thank you. Please come again.
Gesture & etiquette
Press palms together briefly (合掌) as you say it, or simply bow your head slightly. Say it audibly enough for the host or restaurant staff to hear — a quiet mumble loses the social impact of this important ritual phrase.
「ごちそうさまでした」is the ritual closing of every Japanese meal, mirroring 「いただきます」at the start. 「ごちそう」originally meant 'running around to gather ingredients' — so the phrase thanks everyone who contributed. Always say it when leaving a restaurant, finishing a home-cooked meal, or standing up from a meal.