Chrisso (X) Mar 14, 2014:

I'm in complete agreement with Marina and for this reason think that only a thank you is required as it works in all English speaking countries and contexts.

MariyaN (X) Mar 13, 2014:

I remember how, when I just started learning Japanese, many of us students would ask what is the Japanese for "Bon appetit" - because this is what we usually say in Ukraine before we start to eat - just like we would ask what is the Japanese for "Bless you" - only to find out that they don't say anything in Japanese to a person who sneezes - on the contrary, the one who sneezes should apologize. Later my students would ask me the same questions...
In short, you cannot use the language without considering the culture of the country, and this question is a good example. いただきます　と　ごちそうさまでした are set ritual etiquette phrases that cannot be translated - you may use equivalents that are used in similar situations in the culture of the country of target language or omit them altogether (context permitting) but to translate them, unless with an educational aim in mind (e. g. in a textbook), would be not only somewhat unwise and potentially implying lack of knowledge of basics of translation, but in many cases impossible.

MariyaN (X) 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".