24 Japanese Phrases to Say “Thank You for the Meal”

Expressing gratitude after a meal is a beautiful tradition in Japanese culture.

Whether you’re dining with friends, family, or coworkers, saying thank you for the meal shows respect and appreciation. It’s a simple gesture that can make your interactions warmer and more meaningful.

Learning these phrases not only deepens your understanding of Japanese etiquette but also helps you connect on a more personal level with native speakers.

From casual to formal, there’s a perfect way to say “thank you for the meal” for every situation.

Plus, knowing these phrases boosts your confidence when enjoying Japanese food experiences, whether at home or abroad.

Let’s dive into 24 phrases that will help you express your gratitude with style and heart.

Understanding the Basics of Saying Thanks for a Meal

Before jumping into the phrases, it’s good to know the cultural context.

In Japan, gratitude for a meal is expressed both before and after eating, reflecting respect for the food and those who prepared it. This tradition is deeply rooted and shows mindfulness.

Most phrases you’ll learn come from these core expressions but vary in formality and tone.

Sometimes, using a great beginner phrasebook can give you a perfect starting point for a cohesive understanding.

With practice, these phrases will soon become natural parts of your meals.

Remember, the key is sincerity—your tone matters just as much as your words.

Part 1: Casual Suggestions

1. いただきます (Itadakimasu) – ee-tah-dah-kee-mahss

This is the classic phrase said before starting a meal.

It literally means “I humbly receive” and shows appreciation for the food and those who prepared it. It’s a simple, respectful start to any meal.

Perfect for beginners because it’s universally used and easy to remember.

Saying it sets a thankful tone and connects you to a centuries-old tradition.

It’s often paired with bowing slightly, emphasizing respect.

Once you master this, you’ll feel more confident dining in Japan or with Japanese friends.

2. ごちそうさまでした (Gochisousama deshita) – goh-chee-soh-sah-mah deh-shee-tah

This is the go-to phrase after finishing a meal.

It means “Thank you for the delicious meal” or “It was a feast.” It’s polite and expresses gratitude for the food and effort involved in making it.

Easy to say and widely appreciated, it’s a must-know phrase.

Make sure to say it sincerely; it’s a sign of good manners.

In casual settings, you can shorten it to just “ごちそうさま” (Gochisousama).

Use this after meals with friends or family to show your appreciation warmly.

3. ありがとう (Arigatou) – ah-ree-gah-toh

This means simply “Thank you.”

It’s casual and can be used after a meal if you want to keep things light and friendly. It’s less specific but still appreciated.

Great for situations with close friends or informal meals.

Adding “ございます” (gozaimasu) makes it more polite: ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu).

Don’t confuse it with the meal-specific phrases, but it’s always a nice touch to add thanks in conversation.

Use it to complement other phrases or when saying thanks to the cook directly.

4. おいしかった (Oishikatta) – oh-ee-shee-kah-ta

This means “It was delicious.”

It’s a straightforward and warm way to compliment the meal and show gratitude.

Perfect for informal settings and a great way to encourage the cook.

Pair it with ごちそうさまでした (Gochisousama deshita) for extra warmth.

Be mindful of pronunciation to sound natural and sincere.

Practice it when eating with friends or family to add a personal touch to your thanks.

5. ごちそうさま (Gochisousama) – goh-chee-soh-sah-mah

A shortened form of ごちそうさまでした, this is casual and friendly.

It’s great when you want to sound polite but not overly formal, like with close friends or coworkers.

Easy to remember and quick to say.

Make sure to say it after finishing your meal to show appreciation.

Avoid using it in very formal settings where the full phrase is preferred.

Use it to maintain a friendly tone while still being respectful.

6. ごはんおいしかった！ (Gohan oishikatta!) – goh-hahn oh-ee-shee-kah-ta

This means “The rice was delicious!”

Rice (ごはん, gohan) is a staple in Japanese meals, so complimenting it is a nice way to show appreciation.

It’s informal and perfect for casual meals.

Use it when you want to highlight a specific part of the meal you enjoyed.

It’s a natural phrase that Japanese speakers appreciate hearing from learners.

Try it out when eating rice dishes to build rapport with hosts or friends.

7. 美味しかったよ (Oishikatta yo) – oh-ee-shee-kah-ta yoh

This is a casual and friendly way to say “It was delicious, you know?”

The particle よ (yo) adds emphasis, making it sound more heartfelt.

It’s a great way to compliment a meal and make your gratitude feel personal.

Perfect among friends or family where informality is welcome.

Use it to show genuine enjoyment and appreciation.

Adding this phrase to your thanks makes your gratitude stand out warmly.

8. お腹いっぱい！ (Onaka ippai!) – oh-nah-kah ee-ppai

This phrase means “I’m full!”

It’s a casual way to express satisfaction after a meal and indirectly thanks the cook.

It conveys that the food was satisfying and enjoyable.

Don’t overuse it in formal situations; it’s best for friendly gatherings.

Use it with smiles and relaxed body language for best effect.

It’s a simple, friendly way to show your appreciation through your fullness.

Part 2: Polite & Formal Suggestions

9. ごちそうさまでございました (Gochisousama de gozaimashita) – goh-chee-soh-sah-mah deh goh-zah-ee-mah-shee-tah

This is the very polite and formal way to say thank you for the meal.

It’s suitable for business meals, formal dinners, or when speaking to someone you respect.

Using this phrase shows a high level of manners and appreciation.

Perfect when you want to impress or show serious gratitude.

Practice the pronunciation carefully to sound natural and respectful.

It’s a great phrase to add to your polite Japanese toolkit.

10. 誠にごちそうさまでした (Makoto ni gochisousama deshita) – mah-koh-toh nee goh-chee-soh-sah-mah deh-shee-tah

This phrase means “Truly, thank you for the meal.”

It adds the word 誠に (makoto ni), meaning “truly” or “sincerely,” for extra politeness.

It’s great for formal speeches or special occasions.

Use it when you want to emphasize your heartfelt thanks.

It’s a step above the usual polite phrase and appreciated in respectful settings.

Try it when attending formal events or business dinners.

11. 食事をいただきありがとうございました (Shokuji o itadaki arigatou gozaimashita) – shoh-koo-jee oh ee-tah-dah-kee ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zah-ee-mah-shee-tah

This phrase means “Thank you very much for the meal.”

It combines 食事 (shokuji, “meal”) with いただき (itadaki, “receive”) and a polite thank you.

It’s formal and can be used in written or spoken contexts.

Good for thank-you notes or formal gatherings.

Use it when you want to sound polished and grateful.

This phrase showcases your respect for both the food and the host.

12. ご馳走様でございました (Gochisousama de gozaimashita) – goh-chee-soh-sah-mah deh goh-zah-ee-mah-shee-tah

This is another very formal version of “thank you for the meal.”

It’s appropriate for formal occasions, especially in traditional settings.

It uses the honorific form ございました (gozaimashita) for added politeness.

Make sure to combine it with a respectful bow for full effect.

Avoid using it casually, as it may sound too stiff.

It’s a perfect phrase to show deep gratitude in formal Japanese culture.

13. 心より感謝いたします (Kokoro yori kansha itashimasu) – koh-koh-roh yoh-ree kahn-shah ee-tah-shee-mahss

This means “I sincerely thank you from the heart.”

It’s very formal and expresses profound gratitude beyond just the meal.

Good for speeches or written messages after special meals.

It’s less common in everyday speech but powerful when used appropriately.

Try it in thank-you notes or formal occasions.

It shows a deep appreciation that goes beyond the surface.

14. ありがとうございました、たいへん美味しかったです (Arigatou gozaimashita, taihen oishikatta desu) – ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zah-ee-mah-shee-tah, tah-ee-hehn oh-ee-shee-kah-tah deh-s

This phrase means “Thank you very much, it was very delicious.”

It combines polite thanks with a compliment to the food.

Perfect for formal but warm situations.

Use it to express appreciation both for the meal and the effort put in.

It’s a thoughtful way to acknowledge the cook’s hard work.

Practice the polite tone to sound natural and respectful.

15. おかげさまで美味しくいただきました (Okage-sama de oishiku itadakimashita) – oh-kah-geh-sah-mah deh oh-ee-shee-koo ee-tah-dah-kee-mahsh-tah

This phrase means “Thanks to you, I enjoyed the meal.”

It acknowledges the host or cook’s role in making the meal enjoyable.

Polite and considerate, it’s great for formal family or business meals.

Using おかげさまで (okage-sama de) adds humility and gratitude.

It’s a culturally rich phrase that deepens your appreciation.

Perfect for showing respect and thanks simultaneously.

16. 本当に美味しかったです、ありがとうございます (Hontou ni oishikatta desu, arigatou gozaimasu) – hon-toh nee oh-ee-shee-kah-tah deh-s, ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zah-ee-mah-s)

This means “It was truly delicious, thank you.”

It’s polite, sincere, and balanced between formality and warmth.

Great for expressing genuine enjoyment after a meal.

Using both a compliment and thanks makes it well-rounded.

Ideal for formal or semi-formal occasions.

It’s a phrase that sounds natural and heartfelt.

Part 3: Very Casual / Native-like Expressions

17. ごちそうさまっした！ (Gochisousama shita!) – goh-chee-soh-sah-mah sh-tah

A very casual and shortened way to say thanks after a meal.

It’s often used among close friends or family.

Dropping the polite ending makes it sound spontaneous and friendly.

Good for informal gatherings or quick thanks.

Be cautious not to use it in formal settings.

It’s a native-like expression that shows comfort and closeness.

18. うまかった！ (Umakatta!) – oo-mah-kah-tah

This means “It was tasty!” in a very casual tone.

It’s slangy and used mostly by young people or close friends.

Perfect when you want to sound natural and relaxed.

Not suitable for formal or polite contexts.

Use it with enthusiastic body language to match the tone.

Great for informal meals and casual chats.

19. まんぷく！ (Manpuku!) – mahn-poo-koo

This means “I’m full!” in a very casual, cheerful way.

It’s a fun and native-like way to express satisfaction.

Works well among friends or family.

Avoid in formal situations.

It’s an easy phrase to remember and use naturally.

Use it to show you enjoyed the meal and are happily satisfied.

20. 最高だった！ (Saikou datta!) – sigh-koh daht-tah

This means “It was the best!”

It’s a very casual and enthusiastic compliment.

Great for expressing excitement about a meal.

Use with friends or informal meals to show delight.

Not for formal use but perfect for native-like flair.

It’s a fun phrase that adds energy to your thanks.

21. ごちそうさん！ (Gochisousan!) – goh-chee-soh-sahn

A Kansai dialect casual way to say thanks for the meal.

It’s common in Osaka and surrounding areas.

Using this phrase shows familiarity with regional Japanese.

It’s polite enough for casual settings but distinctively informal.

Try it if you want to add local color to your Japanese.

It’s a charming phrase that native speakers appreciate.

22. おなかいっぱいだよ！ (Onaka ippai da yo!) – oh-nah-kah ee-ppai dah yoh

This means “I’m full, you know!” in a casual tone.

The よ (yo) adds emphasis and friendliness.

It’s great for informal meals with friends or family.

Avoid it in formal situations.

It’s an easy phrase to sound natural and warm.

Use it to express contentment after eating.

23. ありがとうね、ごちそうさま！ (Arigatou ne, gochisousama!) – ah-ree-gah-toh neh, goh-chee-soh-sah-mah

This combines casual thanks with meal gratitude.

The ね (ne) softens the thanks, making it friendly and warm.

Perfect for friends or family meals.

It’s a natural way to say thanks without being stiff.

Try it to sound approachable and sincere.

It’s a phrase that builds connection and warmth.

24. ごちそうさま、またね！ (Gochisousama, mata ne!) – goh-chee-soh-sah-mah, mah-tah neh

This means “Thanks for the meal, see you again!”

It’s casual and perfect for friends or family after a meal.

It expresses both thanks and a hopeful goodbye.

Great for ending casual gatherings pleasantly.

Use it to leave a warm impression and invite future meetings.

It’s a friendly phrase that closes your meal on a positive note.

Concluding Thought

Expressing gratitude for a meal in Japanese opens doors to deeper cultural understanding and stronger connections.

From the respectful いただきます (Itadakimasu) to casual phrases like うまかった！ (Umakatta!), you can find a way to say thanks that fits every occasion.

Keep practicing these phrases with sincerity, and you’ll not only impress but also truly enjoy the shared experience of dining in Japanese culture.