Japanese · Greetings & Phrases
ごちそうさまでした
gochisousama deshita
Thank you for the meal
Beginnerphrase
Definition
Said after finishing a meal to express gratitude. It is the post-meal counterpart to いただきます.
Example
ごちそうさまでした。とても美味しかったです。
Thank you for the meal. It was very delicious.
Etymology
'ごちそうさまでした' (gochisousama deshita) expresses gratitude after a meal, originating from 'ご馳走' (gochisou, 'feast/meal') with a respectful past tense form.
How & Where It’s Used
'ごちそうさまでした' is used after meals in both formal and informal settings in spoken Japanese, reflecting appreciation for the food.