ご馳走様でした

Japanese

Japanese phrasebook

This entry is part of the phrasebook project, which presents criteria for inclusion based on utility, simplicity and commonness.

Kanji in this term
馳	走	様
ち Jinmeiyō	そう Grade: 2	さま Grade: 3
kan'on		kun'yomi

Alternative spelling
ご馳走樣でした (kyūjitai)

Alternative forms

• 御(ご)馳(ち)走(そう)様(さま)でした (go-chisō-sama deshita)
• ご馳(ち)走(そう)様(さま) (go-chisō-sama) (shortened version)

Etymology

Literally “it was a feast”.

Pronunciation

• (Tokyo) ごちそーさまでした [gòchísóósámá déshítá] (Heiban – [0])
• IPA^(key): [ɡo̞t͡ɕi̥so̞ːsa̠ma̠ de̞ɕi̥ta̠]

Phrase

ご馳(ち)走(そう)様(さま)でした • (go-chisō-sama deshita) 

1. it was delicious

Usage notes

• It is a stock phrase required by the Japanese etiquette after ending a meal.
• At the start of a meal, Japanese speakers say 頂(いただ)きます (itadakimasu).