itadakimasu / gochisōsama / oishī… Words and expressions used when eating in Japanese

In Japan, there is a custom to use greeting phrases during meals. There are many words and expressions about meals. Let's check out some example sentences and practice how to use them and in what situations.

1.　いただきます (itadakimasu)

“いただきます” (itadakimasu) is a greeting before a meal. Some people say “いただきます” (itadakimasu) with both palms together. By saying “いただきます” (itadakimasu) just before eating, we express our gratitude for being able to eat and for the person who prepared the meal.

Example

おいしそう！いただきます。

Oishi-sō! Itadakimasu.

It looks delicious! Thank you.

Example

いい匂い！いただきます。

Ī nioi! Itadakimasu.

It smells good！Let’s eat.

2.　ごちそうさま (gochisōsama)

The phrase “ごちそうさま” (gochisōsama) is a greeting when you finish eating a meal. When you say “ごちそうさま” (gochisōsama), you show your appreciation for the meal.

Example

ごちそうさまでした。

Gochisōsama deshita.

Thank you for the meal.

Example

ごちそうさま！おいしかったです。

Gochisōsama! Oishikatta desu.

Thank you for the meal. It was so good.

3.　ごちそうさん (gochisōsan)

The phrase “ごちそうさん” (gochisōsan) is more casual than “ごちそうさま” (gochisōsama). It is used by older men to address family members and inferiors. Women rarely use it.

Example

ごちそうさん、うまかったよ。

Gochisōsan, umakatta yo.

Thanks for the meal. It was awesome.

Example

ごちそうさん、腹いっぱいだ.

Gochisōsan, haraippai da.

Thanks for the dish. I'm full.

Example

ごちそうさん、また来るね。

Gochisōsan, mata kuru ne.

I enjoyed the food. I'll come again.

4.　おいしい (oishī)

The word “おいしい” (oishī) is a way of saying that a food or drink tastes good or that you like it. It is used by children, the elderly, men and women. In kanji, the word is written as “美味しい” (oishī).

Example

とてもおいしいです。

Totemo oishī desu.

Very tasty.

Example

すごくおいしいです。

Sugoku oishī desu.

It's really delicious.

Example

おいしい！これ大好きです。

Oishī! Kore daisuki desu.

Amazing! I love this.

5.　うまい (umai)

The word “うまい” (umai) is a casual expression of “おいしい” (oishī). It is not an elegant way of saying “うまい” (umai), so it is better to use it in a close relationship, such as between friends, to convey that something is delicious.

Example

これはうまい！

Kore wa umai!

This tastes amazing!

Example

本当にうまい！

Hontōni umai!

So good!

Example

とてもうまい料理だ。

Totemo umai ryōri da.

It's very delicious cuisine.

6.　ほっぺたが落ちそう (hoppeta ga ochi-sō)

The phrase “ほっぺたが落ちそう” (hoppeta ga ochi-sō) is a Japanese expression that emphasizes the fact that something tastes so good that your cheeks fall off. The word “ほっぺた” (hoppeta) refers to the cheeks. It is said to be derived from the idea of stuffing so much food into the mouth that the cheeks almost fall off because it tastes amazing.

Example

おいしくて、ほっぺたが落ちそうです。

Oishikute, hoppeta ga ochi-sō desu.

This meal is finger licking good!

Example

ほっぺたが落ちそうな味です。

Hoppe ga ochi-sōna aji desu.

I am in love with the dish!

Example

このケーキおいしい！ほっぺたが落ちそう！

Kono kēki oishī！ Hoppeta ga ochi-sō!

This cake is absolutely to die for!

7.　お腹いっぱい (onaka-ippai)

The phrase “お腹いっぱい” (onaka-ippai) is used to describe the state of being satisfied with a meal or drink. It contains feelings of gratitude and the meaning of “I can't eat any more.”

Example

ごちそうさまでした、お腹いっぱいです。

Gochisōsama deshita, onaka-ippai desu.

Thanks for the meal. I'm full.

Example

お腹いっぱいです。もう食べられません。

Onaka-ippai desu. Mō taberaremasen.

I'm stuffed. I can't eat anymore.

Example

お腹いっぱい食べてください。

Onaka ippai tabete kudasai.

Please eat as much as you like.

8.　おなかが空いた (onaka ga suita)

To show that you have an appetite, you can say “おなかが空いた” (onaka ga suita). There are other expressions to show that you are hungry, such as “おなかが減る” (onaka ga heru) and “腹ぺこ” (harapeko).

Example

おなかが空いて、倒れそうです。

Onaka ga suite, taoresō desu.

I'm hungry and I'm about to faint.

Example

おなかが減りました。食事にしましょう。

Onaka ga herimashita. Shokuji ni shimashou.

I'm hungry. Let's have a meal.

Example

腹ペコなので、何か食べものをください。

Harapeko nanode, nanika tabemono wo kudasai.

I'm starving, so please give me something to eat.

[日本のことが気になる？一緒に日本語を学びませんか？]

9.　おかわり (okawari)

The word “おかわり” (okawari) refers to receiving the same drink or food, or the food given to you. When eating, you may have another bowl of white rice, another cup of coffee or tea.

Example

おかわりをください。

Okawari wo kudasai.

Please give me a refill.

Example

ごはんは、おかわりできますか？

Gohan wa, okawari dekimasu ka?

Can I get some more rice?

Example

コーヒーのおかわりをお願いします。

Kōhī no okawari wo onegaishimasu.

I'd like another cup of coffee.

10.　～ごはん (~gohan)

The word “～ごはん” (~gohan) is used to refer to a meal. Depending on the time of day, breakfast is called “朝ごはん” (asa gohan), lunch is called “昼ごはん” (hiru gohan), and dinner is called “夕ごはん” (yū gohan) or “晩ごはん” (ban gohan). Note that “ごはん” (gohan) can be used to mean either a meal or white rice.

Example

朝ごはんは、みそ汁を飲みます。

Asa gohan wa, misoshiru wo nomimasu.

For breakfast, I drink miso soup.

Example

12時です、昼ごはんを食べましょう。

12-ji desu, hiru gohan wo tabemashou.

It's 12 o'clock, let's have lunch.

Example

夕ごはんは、何を食べますか？

Yū gohan wa, nani wo tabemasu ka?

What do you eat for dinner?

11.　～食 (~shoku)

The word “～食” (~shoku) is used in the same sense as “～ごはん” (gohan). Breakfast is called “朝食” (chōshoku), lunch is called “昼食” (chūshoku), dinner is called “夕食” (yūshoku), snacks are called “間食” (kanshoku), and a light meal after dinner is called “夜食” (yashoku).

Example

朝食は、８時からです。

Chōshoku wa, 8-ji kara desu.

Breakfast is from 8 o'clock.

Example

昼食のメニューは、焼肉です。

Chūshoku no menyū wa, yakiniku desu.

The lunch menu is grilled meat.

Example

夕食は、魚が食べたい。

Yūshoku wa, sakana ga tabetai.

I want to eat fish for dinner.

Example

間食は、やめてください。

Kanshoku wa, yamete kudasai.

Please stop snacking.

Example

今日の夜食は、おにぎりが食べたい。

Kyō no yashoku wa, onigiri ga tabetai.

I want to eat rice balls for a late-night snack today.

12.　おやつ (oyatsu)

The word “おやつ” (oyatsu) refers to the afternoon snack. During the “おやつ” (oyatsu) time, people mainly eat sweets. The word “おやつ” (oyatsu) also means sweets. In Japan, it has been a custom to eat “おやつ” (oyatsu) at 3:00 pm.

Example

おやつがたべたい。

Oyatsu ga tabetai.

I want to eat a snack.

Example

おやつの時間は、午後３時です。

Oyatsu no jikan wa, gogo 3-ji desu.

The snack time is 3:00 pm.

Example

今日のおやつは、ポテトチップスです。

Kyō no oyatsu wa, potetochippusu desu.

Today's snack is potato chips.

13.　モーニング (mōningu)

The word “モーニング” (mōningu) refers to breakfast service in restaurants. The word is derived from the English word “morning.” In most cases, breakfast at home is not called “モーニング” (mōningu). Breakfast in Japan is often a simple meal.

Example

モーニングを食べましょう。

Mōningu wo tabemashou.

Let's eat breakfast.

Example

モーニングは、パンとコーヒーと目玉焼きです。

Mōningu wa, pan to kōhī to medamayaki desu.

Breakfast is bread, coffee and a fried egg.

14.　ランチ (ranchi)

The word “ランチ” (ranchi) refers to lunch. The word is derived from the English word “lunch.”

Example

今は、ランチの時間です。

Ima wa, ranchi no jikan desu.

It's lunch time now.

Example

ランチは、パスタを食べます。

Ranchi wa, pasuta wo tabemasu.

For lunch, I eat pasta.

Example

一緒にランチしませんか？

Issho ni ranchi shimasen ka?

Would you like to have lunch with me?

15.　ディナー (dinā)

The word “ディナー” (dinā) refers to dinner. Dinner in Japan is often the most sumptuous meal of the day.

Example

私とディナーしませんか。

Watashi to dinā shimasen ka.

Would you like to have dinner with me?

Example

今日のディナーは、フランス料理です。

Kyō no dinā wa, furansu ryōri desu.

Today's dinner is French cuisine.

Example

ディナーは、予約しましたか？

Dinā ha, yoyaku shimashita ka?

Did you make a reservation for dinner?

16.　デザート (dezāto)

“デザート” (dezāto) are fruits and sweet treats that are eaten after a meal.

Example

デザートはいかがですか？

Dezāto wa ikagadesu ka.

How about some dessert?

Example

食後のデザートは、プリンです。

Shokugo no dezāto wa, purin desu.

The dessert after the meal is pudding.

Example

デザートは、何がいいですか？

Dezāto wa, nani ga īdesu ka?

What would you like for dessert?

There are many Japanese words that can be used to describe meals. Let's practice to use appropriate Japanese considering the situation and the partner. In addition, it might be good to know the names of Japanese unique dishes. For example, do you know what “天ぷら” (tenpura), “寿司” (sushi), and “たこ焼き” (takoyaki) are?

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