“Itadakimasu” Before Meals and “Gochisousama deshita” After Meals
Let us express our gratitude.
When Japanese people eat a meal, they put their hands together and say “Itadakimasu” and “Gochisousama deshita” to give thanks for the “life” of the food (meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, etc.) and to show respect towards the people involved in the food preparation from its harvest to its cooking.
Let us try to express gratitude to the people who have worked to prepare food by naturally saying “Itadakimasu” and “Gochisousama deshita.”
