How to Compliment a Host on Food or Hospitality in Japanese
Learn beginner Japanese phrases to thank a host and praise their food or hospitality, including how to say 'This is delicious' and 'Thank you for having me.'
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When you are invited to someone's home in Japan, a few well-placed compliments go a long way. This lesson teaches you beginner-level phrases to thank your host and praise the food or hospitality, without covering hosting duties. You will learn how to say 'This is delicious' and 'Thank you for having me,' and how to use the pattern 'oishii desu' naturally. Japanese compliments often focus on the effort someone made, so phrases like 'gochisōsama deshita' and 'oishikatta desu' are essential. We will also cover the difference between complimenting during the meal and after it, and how to sound polite without being overly formal. By the end, you will be able to express genuine appreciation in a way that feels natural to Japanese speakers.
By the end, you can…
- compliment a host on the food using phrases like 'oishii desu.'
- thank a host for having me using 'yonde kurete arigatō gozaimasu.'
- use past tense to compliment a meal after eating.
- respond politely when a host offers more food.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
おいしいです。
It's delicious.
oishii desu
Use during the meal when you take your first bite. Polite and safe for any host.
ごちそうさまでした。
Thank you for the meal.
gochisōsama deshita
Say after finishing the meal, when you leave the table or as you thank your host.
呼んでいただきありがとうございます。
Thank you for having me.
yonde itadaki arigatō gozaimasu
Use when you arrive or when you leave, to thank the host for the invitation. The humble form 'itadaki' is more polite than 'kurete' when thanking a host.
とてもおいしかったです。
It was very delicious.
totemo oishikatta desu
Past tense compliment after the meal, showing you enjoyed the food.
おもてなしをしてくださって、ありがとうございます。
Thank you for your hospitality.
omotenashi o shite kudasatte, arigatō gozaimasu
A warm way to thank the host for their care and attention, not just the food. The particle 'o' marks 'omotenashi' as the object of 'shite kudasatte'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To compliment food, use the adjective 'oishii' (delicious) plus 'desu' for politeness: 'Oishii desu.' For past tense, change 'oishii' to 'oishikatta' and add 'desu': 'Oishikatta desu.' You can add 'totemo' (very) before the adjective: 'Totemo oishii desu.' To thank the host for having you, use 'yonde itadaki arigatō gozaimasu.' The verb 'yonde' means 'invite/call,' and 'itadaki' is the humble form showing the host did it for you. This pattern works for other favors too, but here it focuses on the invitation.
When to use it
Use 'oishii desu' during the meal, especially after the first bite. It is polite and natural. After the meal, switch to past tense: 'Oishikatta desu' or 'Gochisōsama deshita.' Use 'Gochisōsama deshita' when you finish eating or when you leave. If you want to thank the host for the invitation, say 'Yonde itadaki arigatō gozaimasu' when you arrive or when you say goodbye. For hospitality in general, 'Omotenashi o shite kudasatte, arigatō gozaimasu' works well. Avoid using casual forms like 'oishii' alone with someone you just met; add 'desu' for politeness.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
おいしいです！
It's delicious!Oishii desu!よかったです。たくさん食べてください。
I'm glad. Please eat a lot.Yokatta desu. Takusan tabete kudasai.ごちそうさまでした。とてもおいしかったです。
Thank you for the meal. It was very delicious.Gochisōsama deshita. Totemo oishikatta desu.こちらこそ、来てくださってありがとうございます。
Thank you for coming, too.Kochira koso, kite kudasatte arigatō gozaimasu.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese culture, compliments often focus on the host's effort rather than just the taste. Saying 'gochisōsama deshita' after a meal is a standard polite phrase that shows appreciation for the cooking and the time spent. It is also common to compliment specific dishes, such as 'kore, oishii desu' (this is delicious), to show attentiveness. Avoid overpraising in a way that might seem insincere; a simple, warm comment is valued. When you leave, thank the host again for the invitation and the meal.
One thing to watch for
Using 'oishii' alone without 'desu' when speaking to a host you don't know well.
Try this instead: Add 'desu' for politeness: 'Oishii desu.' If you are close friends, 'oishii' alone is fine, but with a new host or someone older, 'Oishii desu' is safer. Similarly, after the meal, say 'Gochisōsama deshita' rather than just 'gochisōsama,' which is casual.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You just took a bite of your host's homemade curry. What do you say to compliment it politely?
Show a sample answer
おいしいです。
'Oishii desu' is the polite present-tense compliment for food. You could also say 'Totemo oishii desu' to add emphasis.
2The meal is over and you are about to leave. What phrase do you use to thank your host for the food?
Show a sample answer
ごちそうさまでした。
'Gochisōsama deshita' is the standard past-tense phrase to thank someone for a meal. It is used after eating, not before.
3You want to thank your host for inviting you to their home. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
呼んでいただきありがとうございます。
'Yonde itadaki arigatō gozaimasu' means 'Thank you for having me.' The humble form 'itadaki' is more polite than 'kurete' when thanking a host.
Compliment the food with 'oishii desu' during the meal, and thank your host with 'gochisōsama deshita' after. For the invitation, say 'yonde itadaki arigatō gozaimasu.' Keep it polite and sincere.
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