What Does Itadakimasu Mean? Pronunciation, Meaning & When to Say It
Have you ever heard someone say “itadakimasu” just before starting a Japanese meal and wondered what it actually means?
You may have heard it in anime, films, Japanese restaurants or videos of everyday life in Japan. Yet even if the word sounds familiar, it can be surprisingly difficult to translate neatly into English.
Does itadakimasu mean “bon appétit”? Is it simply another way to say “let's eat”? Is it something Japanese people say every single time they eat?
The answer is a little more interesting than any one translation suggests.
Itadakimasu is a short phrase that marks the beginning of a meal, but it also carries the idea of receiving the food in front of you with appreciation.
One word. A few seconds. A small part of Japanese food culture.Rather than treating it like a dictionary entry, this guide follows the moment a Japanese meal begins and explains where itadakimasu fits naturally into that experience.
- Itadakimasu in 30 Seconds
- How to Pronounce Itadakimasu
- Is Itadakimasu the Japanese for “Bon Appétit”?
- Who Are You Saying Itadakimasu To?
- When Do Japanese People Say Itadakimasu?
- Do You Say Itadakimasu When Eating Alone?
- Do You Have to Put Your Hands Together?
- Is Itadakimasu a Prayer?
- What Do Japanese People Say After Eating?
- Itadakimasu vs Gochisousama
- 4 Common Misconceptions About Itadakimasu
- Try It at Your Next Japanese Meal
- Why This Small Phrase Matters
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Sources
■ Itadakimasu in 30 Seconds
The simplest answer is:
Itadakimasu is a Japanese phrase commonly said before starting a meal.
The verb itadaku can express receiving something humbly, so the phrase can carry a sense close to “I humbly receive” or “I gratefully receive this meal”.
That does not mean Japanese people consciously think through that literal translation every time they sit down to eat.
In everyday life, itadakimasu also works naturally as a short signal that the meal is about to begin.
At the same time, it is often explained as expressing appreciation for the food itself and for the people and processes that allowed the meal to reach the table.
This can include the person who cooked it, the people who produced or supplied the ingredients and the food itself.
So itadakimasu can be understood as having two connected roles:
It marks the moment before you start eating.
It acknowledges the meal you are about to receive.
■ How to Pronounce Itadakimasu
If you have never said it before, itadakimasu pronunciation is easier when you break the word into small parts first.
Start slowly:
i → ta → da → ki → ma → su
Once each part feels comfortable, say the sounds together as one word:
itadakimasu
You do not need to copy a native speaker's speed straight away. Saying the word clearly and comfortably is a perfectly good place to start.
■ Is Itadakimasu the Japanese for “Bon Appétit”?
Search for “bon appetit Japanese” and itadakimasu is often the phrase you will find.
The comparison makes sense because both expressions are connected with the beginning of a meal.
But they are not exact equivalents.
Usually said to another person, with a meaning close to “enjoy your meal”.
Usually said by the person who is about to eat, expressing that they are receiving the meal.
English phrases such as “Let's eat”, “Thanks for the food” and “I gratefully receive this meal” can each capture part of the meaning, but none is a perfect translation in every situation.
That is why it is more useful to understand when itadakimasu is said, who says it and what the moment represents than to memorise one English equivalent.
■ Who Are You Saying Itadakimasu To?
This is one of the most interesting questions about the phrase.
Is it directed at the person who cooked the meal? The people sitting at the table? The ingredients?
It is not usually addressed to just one person in the way that a direct “thank you” might be.
A meal may involve:
Someone may have cooked the meal for you or prepared the ingredients.
Rice, vegetables, fish and other foods all involve people who grow, produce, transport and sell them.
The phrase is also commonly explained as recognising the ingredients and nature that make the meal possible.
Rather than thinking of itadakimasu as a “thank you” aimed at one specific person, it may be easier to think of it as:
“I receive this meal.”
That simple idea leaves room for several kinds of appreciation at once.
■ When Do Japanese People Say Itadakimasu?
The basic timing is simple:
Say itadakimasu just before you start eating.
You may hear it at home, at school, at a restaurant or before eating a packed lunch.
When several people are eating together, it may be said once everyone's food is ready and the group is about to begin.
You can also say it before eating on your own.
However, it is important not to turn this everyday custom into an absolute rule.
Not every Japanese person says it aloud before every meal, and the way it is used can differ according to the person, family and situation.
If you are new to the phrase: when people around you say “itadakimasu”, joining in is an easy and natural way to experience the custom.
■ Do You Say Itadakimasu When Eating Alone?
Yes, you can.
Itadakimasu is not simply a greeting for the people sitting around the table, so it can also be used when you are eating by yourself.
For example, someone having lunch at home may still say it before taking the first bite.
That does not mean everyone does this every time.
Some people may say it when eating with family but not when eating alone. Others may say it quietly. Some may simply pause before starting.
It is better to understand itadakimasu as an everyday custom with natural variation rather than a fixed performance everyone follows in exactly the same way.
■ Do You Have to Put Your Hands Together?
You may have seen people place their palms together while saying itadakimasu.
This gesture is certainly familiar in Japan, particularly in family, school and media settings.
But the gesture is not a compulsory part of saying the word.
Habits can differ between individuals, families and situations.
If you are eating with Japanese friends or family, the easiest approach is simply to observe the people around you and join naturally if you wish.
■ Is Itadakimasu a Prayer?
Because it is said before eating, itadakimasu is sometimes compared with saying grace before a meal.
But describing it simply as a Japanese prayer can be misleading.
It is an everyday Japanese expression used in ordinary meals and is not limited to a particular religious practice.
It is commonly explained in terms of appreciation for the meal, the people involved in producing and preparing it, and the ingredients themselves.
It is not simply “Bon appétit”. It is not only “Let's eat”. And it is not best understood as a direct equivalent of saying grace.
The fact that it does not fit perfectly into one English category is part of what makes the phrase culturally interesting.
■ What Do Japanese People Say After Eating?
If itadakimasu marks the beginning of a meal, Japanese also has a phrase commonly used at the end.
Gochisousama, or the more polite gochisousama deshita, is said after eating.
It expresses appreciation for the meal and for the effort involved in providing it.
“Thank you for the meal.”
Again, this is a useful explanation rather than a perfect word-for-word translation.
■ Itadakimasu vs Gochisousama
The easiest way to remember the two phrases is to connect each one with a different moment in the meal.
| Itadakimasu | Gochisousama | |
|---|---|---|
| When? | Before eating | After eating |
| Japanese | いただきます | ごちそうさま |
| Basic role | Receiving the meal | Expressing appreciation after the meal |
| Helpful English explanation | “I gratefully receive this meal.” | “Thank you for the meal.” |
| Exact translation? | No | No |
Rather than memorising two English translations, simply remember:
Before eating → Itadakimasu
After eating → Gochisousama
■ 4 Common Misconceptions About Itadakimasu
Like many familiar Japanese expressions, itadakimasu can become oversimplified when it is explained outside Japan.
The timing is similar, but the direction of the phrase is different. Bon appétit is usually said to someone else, while itadakimasu is normally said by the person who is about to eat.
It can function as a signal that the meal is beginning, but “Let's eat” does not capture the idea of receiving and appreciating the meal.
It is a very familiar Japanese custom, but actual habits differ between individuals, households and situations.
There is no need to worry about performing the custom perfectly. Saying it can be a nice way to join the moment, but consideration for the people around you matters more than memorising a rule.
■ Try It at Your Next Japanese Meal
One of the easiest ways to understand itadakimasu is simply to use it.
You do not need to be sitting in a traditional Japanese restaurant.
Try it the next time you make rice, udon, a donburi or another Japanese dish at home.
Take a moment before immediately starting to eat.
Use the phrase just before your first bite.
There is no need to turn it into a formal ceremony. Simply enjoy your food.
When the meal is over, try saying gochisousama or gochisousama deshita.
If you would like to try these phrases with an actual Japanese meal, these recipes are easy places to begin.
■ Why This Small Phrase Matters
Itadakimasu is not a difficult Japanese word.
Once you know the sounds, you can begin using it almost immediately.
But understanding the phrase gives you a small glimpse into the way food can be experienced in Japan.
A meal involves the person who cooked it, the ingredients, the people who produced them and the journey that brought everything together on the table.
For a few seconds before eating, itadakimasu gives you a chance to recognise that.
You do not need perfect pronunciation.
You do not have to use the phrase exactly as every Japanese person would.
Next time you enjoy Japanese food, simply try saying:
“Itadakimasu.”
Like learning to use chopsticks, it is a small way to experience Japanese food culture through something you can actually do at the table.
■ Frequently Asked Questions
What does itadakimasu mean in English?
There is no perfect English equivalent. A literal explanation is close to “I humbly receive” or “I gratefully receive this meal”. In everyday use, it also marks the moment before starting to eat.
How do you pronounce itadakimasu?
Itadakimasu is written いただきます in Japanese. Beginners can break it into the sounds i-ta-da-ki-ma-su before joining them together naturally as one word.
Does itadakimasu mean bon appétit?
Not exactly. Both are connected with the beginning of a meal, but bon appétit is usually said to another person, while itadakimasu is normally said by the person who is about to eat.
When do Japanese people say itadakimasu?
Itadakimasu is normally said just before starting to eat. It may be used at home, at school, in restaurants or when eating a packed meal.
Do Japanese people say itadakimasu when eating alone?
Some do. Itadakimasu can be said when eating alone because it is not simply a greeting directed at the other people at the table. However, habits differ from person to person.
Do you have to put your hands together when saying itadakimasu?
No. Putting the palms together is a familiar gesture and is often seen when people say itadakimasu, but it is not a compulsory part of using the phrase.
Is itadakimasu a religious prayer?
It is better understood as an everyday Japanese mealtime expression rather than as a direct equivalent of a religious prayer. It is commonly associated with appreciation for the meal, its ingredients and the people involved in providing it.
What do Japanese people say after eating?
People commonly say gochisousama, or the more polite gochisousama deshita, after finishing a meal. It expresses appreciation for the food and the effort involved in providing it.
Do visitors to Japan have to say itadakimasu?
No. Visitors are not required to say it. However, joining in when the people around you say itadakimasu can be a simple way to experience Japanese mealtime culture.
■ Sources
- Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) — Japanese Manners Do's and Don'ts View the JNTO guide
- Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) — Shokuiku Guide View the MAFF Shokuiku Guide
- Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) — Japanese Food Culture View the MAFF source
- Web Japan — Japanese School Lunches View the Web Japan guide