ごちそうさまでした

ごちそうさまでした
expression
thank you for the meal (polite, said after eating)
politegreeting
See also: ごちそうさま (casual form)
1. thank you for the meal; that was delicious (polite, after eating)
The polite form of ごちそうさま, said on finishing a meal to the person who cooked or paid, to a host, and to restaurant staff on the way out; literally 'it was a feast.' It closes the meal that いただきます opened.
ごちそうさまでした。とてもおいしかったです。
Thank you for the meal. It was delicious.
会計(かいけい)を済(す)ませて、店員(てんいん)に「ごちそうさまでした」と言(い)って店(みせ)を出(で)た。
I paid the bill, said 'thank you for the meal' to the staff, and left the restaurant.
食事(しょくじ)の後(あと)、子供(こども)たちは声(こえ)をそろえて「ごちそうさまでした」と言(い)い、手(て)を合(あ)わせた。
After the meal the children said 'thank you for the food' in unison and put their hands together.

Said with the hands together at home, and as a plain thank-you in restaurants. It thanks whoever provided the food, and it is also the polite way to signal that you have finished eating.

Usage

  • At home: to the cook, at the end of the meal
  • As a guest: to the host, and again when leaving
  • In a restaurant: to the staff when paying or leaving
  • When someone has treated you: ごちそうさまでした means 'thank you for treating me'
  • The host may reply お粗末(そまつ)さまでした ('it was nothing special'), a humble formula now somewhat old-fashioned.

Related words

Related Words

Related: いただきます (said before eating)
Related: ご馳走(ちそう) (feast; treat)
Related: いただく (said before eating)
general
Added 2026.9.10 0:51 · Revised 2026.9.10 0:54
30500/30845_gochisousamadeshita