請慢用 / 请慢用
cing² maan⁶ jung⁶
The Cantonese phrase for "bon appétit" is 請慢用 / 请慢用 (cing² maan⁶ jung⁶). Wiktionary also lists 慢用 (maan⁶ jung⁶).
Meaning: used to wish someone enjoyment of the meal they are about to eat (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 請慢用 / 请慢用 | cing² maan⁶ jung⁶ |
| 慢用 | maan⁶ jung⁶ |
A host or a waiter uses this phrase to a guest to signal that the meal is ready to be eaten and to wish them enjoyment of the meal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 請慢用 / 请慢用 literally translates to "please use [it] slowly". The part 慢用 means "use slowly".
Which one should you use?
請慢用 / 请慢用 is the polite form, whereas the shortened version 慢用 is a slightly more casual version.
How do you pronounce it?
cing² maan⁶ jung⁶
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using 好食 to mean "bon appétit". While it means "delicious", it is a description of taste rather than a wish for someone to enjoy their meal.
When do people say it?
In Cantonese culture, telling someone to "use [the food] slowly" is a way of wishing them a pleasant and unhurried dining experience.
Did you know?
- In traditional Cantonese culture, wishing someone to eat 'slowly' is a sign of respect, implying the guest is an honored person who should not be rushed.
- The character 慢 can also mean 'slow' in the context of 'slow down' when leaving a house, as in 慢走, which wishes someone a safe and unhurried journey home.
- While 請慢用 is used by waiters, a host in a home setting might instead say 食飯啦, which literally means 'eat rice now'.
Example sentences for Cantonese are not verified yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bon appétit” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
