ごちそうさまでした

expression

thank you for the meal; that was delicious

Polite expression used after eating to thank the person who prepared or paid for the meal. Also said when leaving a restaurant. The past tense でした is standard, though ごちそうさま (present) is used casually.

• 「ごちそうさまでした」と言いって席せきを立たった。

  I said 'thank you for the meal' and left the table.

• 今日きょうの晩ばんごはん、本ほん当とうにごちそうさまでした。

  Thank you so much for tonight's dinner; it was truly delicious.