In Japan, people say 「いただきます（いただきます） [itadakimasɯ]」 before eating a meal. After finishing, they say 「ごちそうさま（ごちそうさま） [ɡotɕisoːsama]」 or 「ごちそうさまでした（ごちそうさまでした） [ɡotɕisoːsama deɕita]」. You hear these two phrases often at home, at school, and in restaurants.
People visiting Japan for the first time may wonder, "Who are they saying it to?" or "Is it rude if I do not say it?"
The answer is in this article. Today, we will learn meal greetings in clear learner-friendly English and look at the heart of 「感謝（かんしゃ） [kaɴɕa]」, gratitude, behind these words.
「いただきます」 is not only a signal that eating is starting. It contains a deep feeling of gratitude.
Everything we eat was once 「命（いのち） [inotɕi]」, life. Meat, fish, rice, and vegetables were all living things. We receive that life into our body through 「いただく（いただく） [itadakɯ]」.
So 「いただきます」 expresses two kinds of thanks.
Gratitude for the life in the food
Gratitude to the people who grew, carried, and cooked that food
There are farmers who grew the rice, fishers who caught the fish, and family members or shop staff who cooked the meal. Thanks to many people, the meal is in front of you. 「いただきます」 is a word that says "thank you" to all of that.
Callout
When saying 「いただきます」, many people put both hands together in front of their chest. This gesture shows gratitude. However, it is not rude if you do not do it. It differs by family and region.
「いただく」 is a humble way to say 「もらう」 or 「食べる」. Long ago, people received precious things from someone above them or from the gods by raising them above their head. From that action, 「いただく」 became a meal word. In other words, it means "I gratefully receive this life."
「ごちそう」 can be written with the kanji 「御馳走」. The older word 「馳走（ちそう） [tɕisoː]」 means running around. Long ago, people ran here and there to gather food and prepare a meal for guests. 「ごちそうさま」 is thanks for that work. It carries the feeling, "Thank you for running around for me."
Note
Before a meal, say 「いただきます」. After a meal, say 「ごちそうさま（でした）」. Learn them as a pair: before and after.
"Who are you saying it to?" is a very common question. Let's look at different situations.
Situation
Wording
Point
At home alone
「いただきます」／「ごちそうさま」
Even if no one is there, you can say it quietly. It is gratitude for the food.
At home with family
「いただきます」／「ごちそうさまでした」
If you say it toward the person who cooked, your feeling comes across more clearly.
School lunch（「給食（きゅうしょく） [kʲɯːɕo̞kɯ]」）
Everyone says 「いただきます」
In many classes, the student on duty gives a signal and everyone says it together.
At a restaurant
(quietly) 「いただきます」
You do not need to say it loudly to staff. It is for yourself or the people at the table.
At a friend's home
「ごちそうさまでした！」
If you clearly thank the family who cooked, they will appreciate it.
In short, there is no single fixed person you are speaking to. It is a natural greeting of gratitude toward the life in the food and toward everyone involved.
Another word connected to gratitude for meals is 「もったいない（もったいない） [mottainai]」.
「もったいない」 means the feeling that throwing away food is a shame when it can still be eaten. Since we have received life, we should try not to leave food behind. In Japan, many children learn this from an early age.
「ごはんを残すのは、もったいないよ。」 (It is a waste to leave rice behind.)
「一つぶのお米も、大切にしよう。」 (Let's treat every grain of rice as important.)
「いただきます」, 「ごちそうさま」, and 「もったいない」. These three words come from the same heart: valuing the life in food.
「いただきます」 is the greeting before a meal, and 「ごちそうさま（でした）」 is the greeting after a meal.
Both express gratitude for the life in the food and for the people who made it.
「いただく」 is a polite form of 「もらう」. 「ごちそう」 comes from the idea of running around to prepare something.
There is no fixed person you must say it to. The important thing is a natural feeling of gratitude. Whether to put your hands together depends on the family and region.
「もったいない」 also comes from the same heart of valuing the life in food.
Next time: "Learning About Life in Japan Through Words (8)." Theme idea: 「お風呂（おふろ） [oɸɯɾo]」, home baths, and 「銭湯（せんとう） [seɴtoː]」, public bathhouses, and words for Japan's 「きれい好き（きれいずき） [kiɾeːzɯki]」, the idea of liking cleanliness.
