Japanese You Keep Seeing: 食事の前に言う「いただきます」って本当は何？｜Japanese Grammar (N5–N3)

(Joy, Ken, and Raya pressing their hands together saying “Itadakimasu!” before a traditional Ryokan dinner, while an orange cat puts its paws together)

Welcome to “Japanese You Keep Seeing”!

Before a single bite of food is eaten in Japan, everyone places their hands together and says いただきます (Itadakimasu). In English, we often translate this as “Let’s eat” or “Bon appétit.” However, those translations completely miss the profound cultural weight of the phrase! It is not just a signal to start eating; it is an expression of deep gratitude. Let’s explore the true meaning of this beautiful daily ritual.

🗣 Conversation Scene

Joy, Ken, and Raya are staying at a traditional Japanese inn (Ryokan) for a weekend retreat. A massive, colorful Kaiseki feast has just been placed on the low table in their tatami room.

Ken

みんな揃いましたね。それじゃあ、手を合わせて… (Everyone is here. Well then, put your hands together…)

Joy

Line 1: いただきます！ Line 2: Itadakimasu! Line 3: (I humbly receive!)

いただきます！すごいご馳走ですね！(I humbly receive! What an amazing feast!)

Raya

Itadakimasu! I am so thankful for whoever prepared all this beautiful food.

💡 Explanation: The Circle of Gratitude

To understand why this word is so important, we must look at its literal translation and the two major groups of people (and things) you are thanking.

1. What does it literally mean? 🤲

The phrase comes from the Japanese verb いただく (Itadaku), which is the humble (Keigo) form of “to eat” or “to receive.” Therefore, the literal translation of “Itadakimasu” is: “I humbly receive.”

2. Thanking Nature (Gratitude for Life) 🌱🐟

The core philosophy of “Itadakimasu” is acknowledging that to sustain your own life, plants and animals had to give up theirs. By saying “I humbly receive,” you are thanking nature and the ingredients for offering their lives so that you may live.

3. Thanking People (Gratitude for Labor) 👨‍🌾🧑‍🍳

The second meaning is to express gratitude to every single human who helped bring the meal to your table. You are thanking the farmers who grew the rice, the fishermen who caught the fish, the truck drivers who transported the goods, and the chef who prepared the meal!

💎 Pro Tip: The Hand Gesture (Gassho)

When saying “Itadakimasu,” it is customary to put your hands together in front of your chest (this action is called 合掌 – Gassho), close your eyes slightly, and bow your head. Note: Do not clap your hands loudly together like at a shrine! Just place them together quietly.

🔥 Practice Quiz

Q1. What is the literal translation of the verb “Itadaku”? A. Let’s eat. B. I humbly receive (to eat/receive).

Answer: B While used like “Let’s eat,” it literally translates to the humble action of receiving life and labor.

Q2. When you say “Itadakimasu,” who or what are you expressing gratitude to? A. Only the person who cooked the food. B. The plants/animals, farmers, drivers, and the chef.

Answer: B It is a holistic phrase thanking the entire cycle of nature and human effort that brought the food to you!

Q3. What is the proper etiquette when saying this phrase? A. Clap your hands together loudly, then say it. B. Place your hands together quietly, bow slightly, and say it.

Answer: B Loud clapping is for Shinto shrines. At the dinner table, the hands are placed together quietly and respectfully.

Ready to master the Ko-So-A-Do system?

Want to dive deeper? Check out our official Beginner’s Grammar Book for more examples, detailed explanations, and practice exercises to perfect your Japanese pointing skills!