いただきます

itadakimasu
/itadakimaꜜsɯ/
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A set expression said by the person who is about to eat, acknowledging the meal.

Examples

  • 食事の前にみんなで「いただきます」と言った。
    Before the meal, we all said thanks for the food.
  • 「いただきます」と言ってから箸を取った。
    I said thanks for the food before picking up my chopsticks.
  • 母が料理を出すと、子どもたちは「いただきます」と声をそろえた。
    When their mother served dinner, the children said thanks for the food together.
  • 彼は手を合わせて「いただきます」と言った。
    He put his hands together and said thanks for the food.
  • 一人で食べるときも私は「いただきます」と言う。
    Even when eating alone, I say thanks for the food.

Similar words

Meanings

Said before eating

food
neutral
A conventional expression said immediately before starting a meal.

Examples

  • 食事の前にみんなで「いただきます」と言った。
    Before the meal, we all said thanks for the food.
  • 母が料理を出すと、子どもたちは「いただきます」と声をそろえた。
    When their mother served dinner, the children said thanks for the food together.
  • 彼は手を合わせて「いただきます」と言った。
    He put his hands together and said thanks for the food.
  • 一人で食べるときも私は「いただきます」と言う。
    Even when eating alone, I say thanks for the food.
  • 「いただきます」と言ってから箸を取った。
    I said thanks for the food before picking up my chopsticks.

Similar words

Etymology

The polite form of いただく, “to receive humbly”; as a meal formula it is said before eating, not after.

FAQ

When do you say いただきます?

Immediately before starting a meal.

What does いただきます mean?

It acknowledges the meal. English has no exact everyday equivalent.

Who says いただきます?

The person or people who are about to eat.

What do you say after eating?

ごちそうさまでした is the usual expression after a meal.

Is いただきます a request to someone else?

No. The diner says it before eating.

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