Polite to Host
Cultural · Communication
ごちそうさまでした。こんなにおいしいお料理をいただいて、本当にありがとうございました。 — Thank you for the wonderful meal. I'm truly grateful to have been treated to such delicious food. (Cultural · Communication, Polite to Host, JLPT N4)
You
ごちそうさまでした。こんなにおいしいお料理をいただいて、本当にありがとうございました。
ごちそうさまでした。こんなにおいしいおりょうりをいただいて、ほんとうにありがとうございました。
Thank you for the wonderful meal. I'm truly grateful to have been treated to such delicious food.
Romaji: Gochisōsama deshita. Konna ni oishii o-ryōri o itadaite, hontōni arigatō gozaimashita. / Reply Romaji: Iie, taihen sasayaka deshita ga, o-agari itadaite, ureshikatta desu.
Reply
いいえ、大変ささやかでしたが、お上がりいただいて、嬉しかったです。
いいえ、たいへんささやかでしたが、おあがりいただいて、うれしかったです。
Not at all — it was just a simple meal, but I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Gesture & etiquette
Set down chopsticks neatly before saying 'gochisousama' — the physical act of completing signals the verbal one. Bow slightly. Make eye contact with the host or cook. This phrase should be said to the host directly, not muttered to yourself. If children are present, ensure they say it too — parents will appreciate that you model this essential social etiquette.
Gochisousama deshita' (thank you for the feast / the meal is completed) is one of Japan's most essential phrases — said immediately upon finishing eating, it closes the meal with gratitude. Combining it with a specific compliment on the food ('konna ni oishii oryouri' — such delicious food) honors the host's effort twice. Never leave a table or a home without saying this.