What is the meaning of gochisosama?

 "Gochisosama" (ごちそうさまでした) is a Japanese phrase used to express gratitude after a meal. It literally translates to "It was a great deal of work (preparing the meal)," but carries a deeper meaning than a simple "thank you."

Here's a breakdown of the meaning:

• Gochisou (御馳走) - a feast, a nice meal, good food
• Sama (様) - an honorific meaning "mister," "miss," or "sir"

So, "gochisosama" expresses appreciation to everyone and everything involved in bringing the meal to your table, including:

• The person who prepared the food (cook, host, restaurant)
• The ingredients themselves
• The farmers who grew the food

It goes beyond just thanking someone for cooking and acknowledges the effort behind the entire process.

Here are some additional things to know about "gochisosama":

• You can say it in a slightly more casual way by dropping the "deshita" (でした) at the end: "Gochisousama."
• There's a complementary phrase said before eating, "Itadakimasu" (いただきます), which expresses gratitude before receiving the meal's bounty.

Overall, "gochisosama" is a way to show politeness and appreciation for the food you've enjoyed.