Question
I’m traveling to Osaka for business and I’ve been invited to a dinner with some Japanese colleagues. I want to make a good impression by thanking them for the meal. How do I say “Thank you for the meal” in a business setting in Japanese?
Japango Editor Team
ご馳走（ちそう）様（さま）でした。
Gochisousama deshita.
Thank you for the meal.
Expressing gratitude for a meal is an important part of Japanese dining etiquette. In a business context, using “gochisousama deshita” is both polite and appreciative. “Gochisou” means “feast” and adding “sama” and “deshita” makes it formal, acknowledging the effort and hospitality involved in preparing and serving the meal.
You could also start with “今日はご一緒（いっしょ）できて楽（たの）しかったです” (Kyou wa goissho dekite tanoshikatta desu), which means “It was enjoyable being together today,” to express your enjoyment of the evening.
Learning these phrases will help you leave a positive impression with your Japanese colleagues, emphasizing your respect for their culture and courtesy.
