What Does Itadakimasu Mean? Japanese Listening Practice

Itadakimasu is more than a direct translation of “let's eat.” In this listening lesson, Sayuri explains the feeling of gratitude behind a phrase learners hear every day in Japanese food culture.

How to use this listening lesson

1. Listen once without reading the transcript.
2. Listen again and pause when you recognize a word.
3. Read the transcript, review the vocabulary, then listen one more time.

Vocabulary to notice

• いただきます (いただきます) — said before a meal
• ごちそうさまでした (ごちそうさまでした) — said after a meal
• 感謝 (かんしゃ) — gratitude
• 食事 (しょくじ) — meal
• 命 (いのち) — life
• 料理 (りょうり) — cooking or dish
• 作ってくれた人 (つくってくれたひと) — the person who made it
• 食べる (たべる) — to eat

Grammar focus

The pattern 〜てくれる describes someone doing something for you: 母が料理を作ってくれました。 (My mother cooked a meal for me.)

Practice after listening

1. Listen once and write the two phrases you hear around a meal.
2. Read the transcript and find one reason people say itadakimasu.
3. Thank someone for a meal using a sentence with 〜てくれる.

When you are ready, use the source episode below for the full Japanese listening practice.

Listen to the source episode

「いただきます」の本当の意味、知ってる？｜The Deep Meaning of "Itadakimasu": More Than Just "Let's Eat" ｜「我開動了」不只是開動？揭開日本飲食文化的深層意義

Original Nihongo Sayuri podcast episode for this JLPT N4 lesson.

Nihongo Sayurisayuri

Continue your practice

Japanese Listening Practice with Podcast Scripts

Find more easy Japanese listening lessons with scripts, vocabulary, and clear next steps.

Nihongo Sayurisayuri

Level: JLPT N4.