How to Say ‘Let's eat (before a meal)’ in Japanese
いただきます
itadaki masu
[ee-tah-dah-kee mahss]
🇯🇵 In Japan: Everyone says it, even when eating alone, often with hands pressed together, as thanks for the food and those who made it.
Phrase Breakdown
いただき
itadaki
[ee-tah-dah-kee]
receive; eat; drink (humble stem)
The polite humble verb stem of いただく, often used before ましょう when inviting people to eat or drink respectfully.
お菓子をいただきましょう。
Let's have the sweets.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite verb ending
A polite ending attached to verbs to make speech more formal.
毎朝、先生にあいさつします。
Every morning, I greet my teacher.
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