Ok so i see this in ALL anime/mangas and im sure you do too, but do japanese people really ALWAYS say itadakimasu b4 every meal and what exactly does it mean and where does it come from? I don't mean the translation which usually comes to something like "let's eat" I mean the literal translation, which I have a hunch comes from old religious practices but I'm not sure.

if memory serves me right, it did originate from an old religious practice, just like what they say after a meal, "Gotsusama", or something like that. as for whether they always do it or not, i'm guessing it all depends on the situation (very hungry, that you just wanna eat something quick or forgetful) and/or the type of person (very modern, does not believe in traditions, or rude), so not definitely always.

It depends on the family. My host family here in Japan doesn't but at my friends house they do it at every meal. Also when were out with our Japanese friends and eat at a restaurant we always say it. In reality it always depends on the situation.

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Almost everyone says it, not just before meals, but before eating anything. There's some exceptions, but it's pretty normal. It's not like a prayer or anything. The literal translation of "Itadakimasu" is "I will receive"

"Gochisousama deshita" is what they usually say after meals. "gochisou" means a feast or entertainment and sama is another added honorific. So basically it means "It was a feast". As a verb, gochisou suru means to treat someone to a meal.

Us muslims have something similar to that, we say something similar before and after a meal, but yeah not everyone does it. It's sort've a religious thing.

itadakimasu is like "to receive something from someone of a higher status"
In this case, it's God.

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Click the Pokemon.

We always say it. I can't really be sure about how they do it with families, but in my dorm in Japan everyone says it.


The term "itadakimasu" is pretty interesting. It is basically "thank you."

"itadakimasu" is a phrase that expresses gratitude before a meal, so when someone gives you the food, you better say itadakimasu (while looking at him/her). It doesn't matter if it's just ice cream or a small candy or a bottle of juice or what. If it can be digested, and if it was given to you, you look at the person and say itadakimasu. If someone cooks something for you, you also say it while looking at them.

But if you're in a restaurant and you haven't paid yet, don't look at the person you're eating with while saying "itadakimasu", because it kinda sygnifies that you are expecting that person to pay for the food. It's like saying "thanks for the food!!" and looking at him/her. It's pretty rude. In that case, you just say "itadakimasu!" and look at your food directly, which would then mean "I am so thankful I'm eating food right now".

See, there's a lot of manners thing that go with it, but whatever it is, even if you brought the food yourself, it's good to say "itadakimasu". It expresses how grateful you are to be having that food.


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Wow, Razril, they're a LOT stricter where you are. For me a simple domo will suffice for tea or small snacks from friends and family, we only say Itadakimasu when we're eating out, or over at someone else's place for a meal.

And I've always thought the clearest translation to convey the meaning correctly for Itadakimasu was "I humbly accept," but that's just me.

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Woow, I never knew there was so much to it!!

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