What does Itadakimasu mean?
Some people in certain Christian majority countries, when everyone is around the table someone may say a prayer, or may just give thanks before chowing down. But, how about in Japan? What do people in Japan say before eating? Do people pray before eating? Not exactly, but there is a special word that people say though before eating.
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Itadakimasu
That is right, itadakimasu is a must-know Japanese word for anyone learning Japanese. Actually, it is a must-know word for anyone planning on visiting Japan anytime. This is one of those words that anyone who is interested in Japan will hear at one point. So, what does it mean exactly?
https://japaneseuniverse.com/2024/02/18/pac-man-in-japaneseconcepts-behind-development-to-global-icon/What does Itadakimasu mean?
Itadakimasu, which is いただきます in Japanese comes from the verb itadaku or いただく. This is a very common but somewhat complex Japanese verb. いただく or いただきます translates to receive, get, or obtain. People say this when they receive or get things. More specifically, いただきます means for someone to receive something from someone who they are showing respect to, or are in a higher social position. Such as a teacher or older person.
謙譲語 – How to be Courteous and Humble in Japanese
Basically, いただきます is a humble way to say receive.
What about Itadakimasu before I eat?
Itadakimasu is said before people eat in Japan. If people go to someone’s house to eat, or someone buys them a meal, saying itadakimasu would naturally be showing respect to whoever is providing the meal. But, people will also say itadakimasu when they are alone. In this situation, there is no clear person someone is saying itadakimasu to. It has become a set phrase though people say before eating.
It is similar to saying prayers before eating, but people are not necessarily thinking about thanking God for the meal. The word could be showing gratitude to God, the people that made the food, or no specific person at all. So, you can think of the word as a prayer, showing gratitude, or just a formal phrase before eating. However you want to look at it, Itadakimasu is a good word to know. So, next time you want to say Let’s Eat! Go ahead and say いただきます instead.
If you are interested in learning Japanese I have reviewed what I consider the best resource for Japanese Grammar below:
