Set Polite Phrases — Social Lubricants
Fixed social phrases used to maintain harmony. These are memorized set expressions rather than a productive grammar pattern.
Structure
Fixed phrases (memorized whole).
Examples
いただきます。
Itadakimasu.
I humbly receive (said before eating).
Humble form; a mandatory phrase before a meal.
お疲れ様でした。
Otsukaresama deshita.
Thank you for your hard work.
Said to colleagues after work or any shared effort.
ごちそうさまでした。
Gochisousama deshita.
Thank you for the meal (said after eating).
The set phrase that closes a meal — the pair to いただきます.
• すみません literally 'it doesn't end (my apology)' but is used for 'excuse me', 'sorry', and even 'thank you' (acknowledging trouble caused). Context decides the translation. • After a meal, pair いただきます with ごちそうさまでした (said when finished).
Commonly confused with
The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones Set is tested against.
vs すみません vs ごめんなさい
ごめんなさい is a pure apology (only 'I'm sorry'); すみません is more versatile, also meaning 'excuse me' and 'thanks for the trouble'.
vs いただきます vs ごちそうさま
いただきます is said BEFORE eating; ごちそうさま(でした) is said AFTER finishing the meal.
More expressions
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