What does “Gochisousama” mean?
Say “sayonara” to your meal with gratitude and style! Just like its appetizing counterpart “いただきます (Itadakimasu)”, “ごちそうさま (Gochisousama)” is an essential phrase in the culinary culture of Japan. It adds a heartfelt finish to the dynamic dialogue of dining.
Translating “ごちそうさま” directly into English doesn’t do justice, as its literal meaning is “You were a feast.” But rest assured, we’re not calling anyone a feast! The phrase’s charm lies in its underlying connotation of expressing gratitude for a meal that just embraced your taste buds.
Cultural background
In Japanese culture, “Gochisousama” is an embodiment of gratefulness to all the elements that contributed to the finished plate. From the farmers who sowed the seeds, to the cook’s artful culinary prowess, and even the plants and animals that became nourishment, all are given due respect. A civilized practice indeed!
In contrast, English-speaking cultures boast phrases like “Thanks for the meal” or “That was delicious” but lack an equivalent comprehensive term brimming with gratitude like “Gochisousama.”
Gochisousama in Anime
For our anime aficionados, you must have observed characters in slice-of-life anime uttering “Gochisousama” after experiencing a gastronomical adventure. There’s a wide spectrum on how it’s voiced out – from a polite murmur in a fancy restaurant to an exuberant shout after scarfing down a homemade meal. Just as food is versatile, so too is this fascinating phrase.
Can foreigners say “Gochisousama”?
If you’re a non-native speaker curious about adopting this phrase, don’t hesitate! Just like with “Itadakimasu”, saying “Gochisousama” as a foreigner will probably earn you a thumbs up for cultural respect and understanding from Japanese natives.
Example sentences
“食後のお茶も素晴らしかった、ごちそうさま!”
(Shokugo no ocha mo subarashikatta, gochisousama!)
“The tea after the meal was also wonderful, thank you for the meal!”
“朝食がこんなに美味しいなんて、ごちそうさまでした!”
(Choshoku ga konna ni oishii nante, gochisousama deshita!)
“I didn’t expect breakfast to be this delicious, thank you!”
“おばあちゃんの手作りのピザ、最高だった、ごちそうさま!!”
(Obaachan no tedzukuri no piza, saikou datta, gochisousama!!)
“Grandma’s homemade pizza was the best, thank you for the meal!”
Conclusion
With this, you can now express gratitude before and after your meals, making your Japanese dining experience even more thrilling and genuine.
Next in line for our language lovers are expressive phrases like “Yamete” (Stop it!) and “Sugoi” (Awesome!). So, stick around to keep discovering the beautiful and enticing world of Japanese language and culture.
But for now, Gochisousama!
🍜 Related Post / 関連記事
食べる前に感謝を伝える日本語フレーズも忘れずに！
👉 いただきます (Itadakimasu) – How to say thanks before a meal
