Translation

Let's eat / Thank you for the meal / I humbly receive

Meaning

This is a Japanese phrase said before eating a meal. It expresses gratitude for the food itself, for the person who prepared it, and for all living things that gave their lives for the meal. While often translated as 'Let's eat' or 'Thank you for the meal,' its deeper meaning is 'I humbly receive this food.' It's a way to acknowledge the effort and life that went into the meal.

Examples

• 手を合わせて「いただきます」と言ってから食べ始めます。
  We put our hands together and say 'itadakimasu' before starting to eat.
• みんなで食卓を囲み、「いただきます！」と元気よく言いました。
  Everyone gathered around the table and cheerfully said 'Itadakimasu!'