21:43 Mar 13, 2014
I don't think there is adequate translation for these phrases because they represent a concept of daily ritual around food and meal that differs greatly in Japan and in English-speaking countries. As far as I can tell, in the US people sometimes say nothing, sometimes "Bon appetit" or "Let's eat" before the meal - usually when there is some company at the table; and sometimes "Thank you" after the meal - mainly when there is someone to thank, i.e. the person who cooked the meal is also present. There are families where people say a short prayer before the meal, but this is not about food etiquette - it's about religious rules. In Japanese, on the contrary, one says いただきます regardless of whether there is anyone present other than the person who is about to start to eat because, in general, いただきます is not supposed to be addressed to a person. いただきます means that the person having the meal humbly and with gratitude accepts the food he is given. It is somewhat similar to prayer. ごちそうさまでした can indeed be addressed to the person who prepared the food, but it is also used when one cooked for oneself - and again, to signify one's gratitude for our "daily bread". |