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A polite phrase said after finishing a meal to express gratitude for the food provided.
ごちそうさまでした。
Thank you for the meal.
みんなでごちそうさまでした。
We all enjoyed the meal.
This phrase is typically used after meals, especially when someone has prepared food for you. It is more formal than 'いただきます' (said before eating).
In Japanese culture, expressing gratitude before and after meals is important. 'いただきます' is said before eating, and 'ごちそうさまでした' is said after.
Derived from 'ごちそう' (treat, feast) and 'さま' (honorific suffix), emphasizing respect and gratitude.
Use this phrase after finishing a meal to show appreciation, especially when dining with others or when someone has prepared food for you.