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Let’s eat / thanks for this food in Japanese

Let's eat / thanks for this food in Japanese

いただきます

itadakimasu

polite

What it literally says

I humbly receive

Japanese politeness is mostly built out of phrases that stopped being literal a long time ago. Knowing what is underneath is the difference between repeating a sound and knowing what you said.

When to use it

Said before eating, always, including alone. Closer to grace than to bon appetit.

Next in Thanks and Politeness

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