What Does Itadakimasu Really Mean? More Than Just “Let’s Eat”

It’s DEEP!

If you have watched Japanese movies or anime, or visited Japan, you have probably heard people say:

いただきます！
Itadakimasu!

right before they start eating.

It is often translated into English as “Let’s eat!”

That translation helps you understand when to say it, but it doesn’t really explain what Itadakimasu means.

There is much more behind this simple Japanese expression.

Itadakimasu Comes From “Itadaku”

いただきます (itadakimasu) comes from the Japanese verb:

いただく (itadaku)

Itadaku is a humble way of saying “to receive.”

In Japanese, we use itadaku when we receive something from someone we respect or when we want to express humility and appreciation for what we are receiving.

So when we say Itadakimasu before eating, the idea is not simply:

“I’m going to eat now.”

It is closer to:

“I humbly receive this meal.”

And that difference tells you something important about Japanese culture.

What Are We “Receiving”?

When you eat, you are receiving something from nature.

Vegetables, rice, fish, meat and all the other ingredients that make up a meal come from natural resources and living things.

They nourish us and become part of our bodies.

So Itadakimasu carries a feeling of appreciation for the food and life we receive from nature.

But that’s only part of it.

Think about everything that happened before the food reached your table.

Someone grew the vegetables.

Someone caught the fish.

Someone transported the ingredients.

And someone prepared and cooked your meal.

When we say Itadakimasu, there is also appreciation for all the people and effort that made the meal possible.

It is a very small phrase carrying a surprisingly big idea:

Thank you for what I am about to receive.

Is Itadakimasu a Prayer?

Not exactly.

You will often see Japanese people put their hands together before saying Itadakimasu, so to visitors it can sometimes look like saying grace before a meal.

But for most Japanese people, it is an everyday cultural custom rather than necessarily a religious prayer.

Some people put their hands together. Some simply say Itadakimasu. And in casual situations, it may be said very quickly.

It is something many Japanese people learn to say from childhood.

Before eating: いただきます。

And after eating, there is another expression:

ごちそうさまでした。
Gochisousama deshita.

That one has its own interesting story—which I'll explain in another post.

Should You Say Itadakimasu at a Japanese Restaurant?

Yes!

If you are traveling in Japan or eating at a Japanese restaurant, try saying:

いただきます！
Itadakimasu!

You say it before you begin eating.

You don't need perfect pronunciation, and you don't need to make it overly formal.

If you're eating with other people, you can lightly put your hands together and say Itadakimasu before taking your first bite.

It's a simple way to participate in a Japanese custom and show appreciation for the meal in front of you.

🇯🇵 Moto's Tip

Don't worry too much about finding the perfect English translation for Itadakimasu.

That's actually what makes words like this interesting.

Sometimes understanding Japanese isn't about finding an equivalent English word. It's about understanding the feeling and culture behind the Japanese word.

So instead of remembering:

Itadakimasu = Let's eat

I would remember:

Itadakimasu = I humbly receive this meal, with appreciation.

Next time you're about to enjoy a meal in Japan, give it a try.

Put your hands together and say:

いただきます！

You may find that understanding this one little phrase makes the meal feel just a little more meaningful.

Also, you can find me talking about this in my instagram, too.

Know the language. Know the culture. Enjoy Japan more.