Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| smakelijk eten | /ˈsmaːkələk ˈeː.tə(n)/ (word by word) | |
| eet smakelijk | /ˌeːt ˈsmaː.kə.lək/ | |
| smakelijk | /ˈsmaːkələk/ | informal |
Dutch speakers use these expressions to wish someone enjoyment of a meal they are about to eat. smakelijk eten is a polite way to say "Enjoy your food", while eet smakelijk translates to "Enjoy your meal". You may also encounter eet lekker as a common way to convey the same sentiment.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase smakelijk eten literally translates to "tasty eating".
Which one should you use?
smakelijk eten is a polite expression, whereas eet smakelijk is an imperative form of the phrase. The shortened form smakelijk is also used in informal settings.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
smakelijk eten is a polite expression. In contrast, smakelijk and eet lekker are informal options used among friends or family.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form eet smakelijk is an imperative form of the phrase, using the verb eten (to eat) to mean "eat tastily".
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈsmaːkələk ˈeː.tə(n)/. It consists of 3 syllables, with the stress on the 1st of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The Dutch word lekker, used in the alternative eet lekker, is a versatile 'super-word' that can describe food, weather, or even a person.
- In some Dutch-speaking circles, it is considered slightly impolite to start eating before the host or the eldest person has said smakelijk.
- The English verb 'to eat' and the Dutch verb eten share a common ancestor in the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁édti.
Examples in context
- Eet smakelijk, mijnheer.Enjoy your meal, sir.
- Smakelijk eten, mevrouw.Enjoy your food, madam.
- Eet lekker, jongens!Enjoy your meal, guys!
- Smakelijk, lieverd.Bon Appétit, sweetheart.
- Smakelijk eten, iedereen!Enjoy your meal, everyone!
Example conversation
Lisa and Levi are sitting down at a restaurant to eat lunch.
- LisaHet ziet er lekker uit, smakelijk eten, Levi!It looks delicious, enjoy your meal, Levi!
- LeviDank je wel, Lisa.Thank you, Lisa.
- LisaDank je, jij ook!Thanks, you too!
- LeviDank je, laten we gaan eten.Thanks, let's eat.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bon appétit” translations and entries smakelijk eten, eet smakelijk, smakelijk, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (smakelijk, eten) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries eten, smakelijk, CC BY-SA 4.0.
