In Japan, it is customary to use greetings when eating. There are many words and expressions related to meals. Let's practice by looking at example sentences to see in what situations and how to use them.
1.Itadakimasu (thank you for the meal)
"Itadakimasu" is a greeting before a meal. Some people say "Itadakimasu" by putting both palms together. By saying "Itadakimasu" just before eating, you express your gratitude for being able to eat and your gratitude to the person who prepared the food for you.
Example sentences
Looks delicious! Let's eat.
Oishi-sō! Itadakimasu.
It looks delicious! Thank you.
Example sentences
It smells good! Let's eat.
Ī nioi! Itadakimasu.
It smells good! Let's eat.
2.Thank you for the meal (gochisōsama)
"Gochisōsama" is a greeting when you finish a meal. By saying "Gochisōsama," you express your gratitude for the meal.
Example sentences
Thank you for the meal.
Gochisōsama deshita.
Thank you for the meal.
Example sentences
Thank you for the meal! It was delicious.
Gochisōsama! Oishikatta desu.
Thank you for the meal. It was so good.
3.Thank you for themeal
"Gochisōsan" is a more casual expression than "Gochisōsama." It is used by older men to family members and subordinates. It is not often used by women.
Example sentences
Thank you for the meal. It was delicious.
Gochisōsan, umakatta yo.
Thanks for the meal. It was awesome.
Example sentences
Thank you for the meal, I'm full.
Gochisōsan, haraippai da.
Thanks for the dish. I'm full.
Example sentences
Thank you for the meal, I'll come again.
Gochisōsan, mata kuru ne.
I enjoyed the food. I'll come again.
4.Delicious (oishī)
"Oishī" is a way of expressing that a food or drink tastes good or that you like it. It is used by people of all ages, from children to the elderly, both men and women. In kanji, it is written as "oishī."
Example sentences
It's very delicious.
Totemo oishī desu.
Very tasty.
Example sentences
It's really delicious.
Sugoku oishī desu.
It's really delicious.
Example sentences
It's delicious! I love this.
Oishī! Kore daisuki desu.
Amazing! I love this.
5.Delicious (umai)
"Umai" is a casual way of saying "oishī." It's not a very polite way of saying it, so it might be best used between close friends to convey that something is delicious.
Example sentences
This is delicious!
Kore wa umai!
This tastes amazing!
Example sentences
It's really delicious!
Hontōni umai!
So good!
Example sentences
It's very delicious food.
Totemo umai ryōri da.
It's very delicious cuisine.
6.My cheeks are fallingoff
"Hoppeta ga ochi-sō" is a uniquely Japanese expression that emphasizes that something is so delicious that your cheeks will fall off. "Hoppeta" means cheek. It is said to come from stuffing your mouth with so much food that your cheeks will fall off because it's so delicious.
Example sentences
It's so delicious, your mouth will water.
Oishikute, hoppeta ga ochi-sō desu.
This meal is finger licking good!
Example sentences
The taste is so delicious your cheeks will fall off.
Hoppe ga ochi-sōna aji desu.
I am in love with the dish!
Example sentences
This cake is delicious! My mouth is watering!
Kono kēki oishī! Hoppeta ga ochi-sō!
This cake is absolutely to die for!
7.Full stomach (onaka-ippai )
"Onaka-ippai" is a way of expressing a state of being satisfied with a meal or drink. It conveys gratitude and the feeling that "I can't eat any more."
Example sentences
Thank you for the meal, I'm full.
Gochisōsama deshita, onaka-ippai desu.
Thanks for the meal. I'm full.
Example sentences
I'm full. I can't eat any more.
Onaka-ippai desu. Mō taberaremasen.
I'm stuffed. I can't eat anymore.
Example sentences
Please eat to your heart's content.
Onaka ippai tabete kudasai.
Please eat as much as you like.
8.I'm hungry (onaka ga suita)
To show that you have an appetite, you can say "I'm hungry (onaka ga suita)". There are other ways to express that you are hungry, too. You can say "I'm hungry (onaka ga heru)" or "I'm hungry (harapeko)".
Example sentences
I'm so hungry I feel like I might collapse.
Onaka ga suite, taoresō desu.
I'm hungry and I'm about to faint.
Example sentences
I'm hungry. Let's eat.
Onaka ga herimashita. Shokuji ni shimashou.
I'm hungry. Let's have a meal.
Example sentences
I'm hungry, please give me something to eat.
Harapeko nanode, nanika tabemono wo kudasai.
I'm starving, so please give me something to eat.
9.Refill (okawari)
"Okawari" refers to receiving the same drink or food, or the food that has been given to you. During a meal, you might ask for a second helping of rice, coffee, or tea.
Example sentences
Can I have another serving?
Okawari wo kudasai.
Please give me a refill.
Example sentences
Can I have a second helping of rice?
Gohan wa, okawari dekimasu ka?
Can I get some more rice?
Example sentences
I'd like another cup of coffee, please.
Kōhī no okawari wo onegaishimasu.
I'd like another cup of coffee.
10.~gohan
"~gohan" is used to refer to a meal. Depending on the time of day you eat it, breakfast is "asa gohan," lunch is "hiru gohan," and dinner is "yū gohan" or "ban gohan." Note that "gohan" can be used to mean both a meal and white rice.
Example sentences
For breakfast, I drink miso soup.
Asa gohan wa, misoshiru wo nomimasu.
For breakfast, I drink miso soup.
Example sentences
It's 12 o'clock, let's have lunch.
12-ji desu, hiru gohan wo tabemashou.
It's 12 o'clock, let's have lunch.
Example sentences
What are you having for dinner?
Yū gohan wa, nani wo tabemasu ka?
What do you eat for dinner?
11.~shoku
"~shoku" is used with the same meaning as "~ gohan." Breakfast is "chōshoku," lunch is "chūshoku," dinner is "yūshoku," a snack is "kanshoku," and a light meal after dinner is "yashoku."
Example sentences
Breakfast starts at 8am.
Chōshoku wa, 8-ji kara desu.
Breakfast is from 8 o'clock.
Example sentences
The lunch menu is yakiniku.
Chūshoku no menyū wa, yakiniku desu.
The lunch menu is Grilled meat.
Example sentences
I want to eat fish for dinner.
Yūshoku wa, sakana ga tabetai.
I want to eat fish for dinner.
Example sentences
Please stop snacking.
Kanshoku wa, yamete kudasai.
Please stop snacking.
Example sentences
I want to eat rice balls for dinner tonight.
Kyō no yashoku wa, onigiri ga tabetai.
I want to eat rice balls for a late-night snack today.
12.Oyatsu (snack)
"Oyatsu" refers to an afternoon snack. At "oyatsu" time, people mainly eat sweets. "Oyatsu" also means sweets. In Japan, it has long been a custom to eat "oyatsu" at 3pm.
Example sentences
I want a snack.
Oyatsu ga tabetai.
I want to eat a snack.
Example sentences
Snack time is at 3pm.
Oyatsu no jikan wa, gogo 3-ji desu.
The snack time is 3:00 pm.
Example sentences
Today's snack is potato chips.
Kyō no oyatsu wa, potetochippusu desu.
Today's snack is potato chips.
13.Morning
"Morning" refers to breakfast service at restaurants. The word comes from the English word "morning." Breakfast eaten at home is rarely called "mōningu."Breakfast in Japan is often a simple meal.
Example sentences
Let's have breakfast.
Mōningu wo tabemashou.
Let's eat breakfast.
Example sentences
Breakfast is bread, coffee and fried eggs.
Mōningu wa, pan to kōhī to medamayaki desu.
Breakfast is bread, coffee and a fried egg.
14.Lunch
"Ranchi" refers to lunch. The word comes from the English word "lunch."
Example sentences
It's lunchtime now.
Ima wa, ranchi no jikan desu.
It's lunch time now.
Example sentences
For lunch, I eat pasta.
Ranchi wa, pasuta wo tabemasu.
For lunch, I eat pasta.
Example sentences
Would you like to have lunch with me?
Issho ni ranchi shimasen ka?
Would you like to have lunch with me?
15.Dinner
"Dinner (din ā)" refers to the evening meal. In Japan, dinner is often the most extravagant meal of the day.
Example sentences
Would you like to have dinner with me?
Watashi to dinā shimasen ka.
Would you like to have dinner with me?
Example sentences
Tonight's dinner is French cuisine.
Kyō no dinā wa, furansu ryōri desu.
Today's dinner is French cuisine.
Example sentences
Have you made a reservation for dinner?
Dinā ha, yoyaku shimashita ka?
Did you make a reservation for dinner?
16.Dessert
"Dessert" (dezāto) refers to fruit or sweet treats eaten after a meal.
Example sentences
Would you like some dessert?
Dezāto wa ikagadesu ka.
How about some dessert?
Example sentences
The dessert after the meal is pudding.
Shokugo no dezāto wa, purin desu.
The dessert after the meal is pudding.
Example sentences
What would you like for dessert?
Dezāto wa, nani ga īdesu ka?
What would you like for dessert?
There are many Japanese words to describe food. Consider the situation and the person you are speaking to and practice using appropriate Japanese. It may also be a good idea to know the names of dishes unique to Japan. For example, do you know what dishes "tempura," "sushi," and "takoyaki" are?
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