頂きます

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
頂
いただ Grade: 6
kun’yomi

Alternative spellings
戴きます いただきます

Etymology

The regular formal or polite conjugation of humble verb 頂(いただ)く (itadaku, “to humbly receive”).

Pronunciation

• (Tokyo) いただきます [ìtádákímású] (Heiban – [0])
• IPA^(key): [ita̠da̠kʲima̠sɨ̥ᵝ]

Phrase

頂(いただ)きます • (itadakimasu) 

1. (humble, polite) to receive
2. (humble, polite) to eat; I will eat, let's eat

Usage notes

• The "let's eat" sense is used when said before starting a meal.
  This usage and intent is vaguely similar to the custom among some English speakers to say grace before a meal, as a recognition of thankfulness for the food.
• At the end of a meal, Japanese speakers say ご馳(ち)走(そう)様(さま)でした (go-chisō-sama deshita, “it was a feast”).

Verb

頂(いただ)きます • (itadakimasu) 

1. formal non-past of いただく (itadaku)