bon appétit
/bɔ.n‿a.pe.ti/
bon appétit is the French way to say "Enjoy your meal". Wiktionary also lists bon ap'.
Meaning: used to wish someone enjoyment of the meal they are about to eat (phrase)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bon appétit | /bɔ.n‿a.pe.ti/ | |
| bon ap' | /bɔ.n‿ap/ | informal |
This is the most widely used expression to wish someone enjoyment of the meal they are about to eat. You may also encounter bonne dégustation, which translates to "Enjoy your tasting" and is specifically used when someone is indulging in a specific dish or drink.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective bon (good) and the noun appétit (appetite).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a shorter, colloquial version used among friends or close acquaintances, you can use bon ap'.
How do you pronounce it?
/bɔ.n‿a.pe.ti/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly pronounce the final 't' in appétit, but in French, the 't' is silent.
Did you know?
- In very formal or aristocratic French circles, saying bon appétit can actually be considered quite impolite. It is seen by some as a vulgar reminder of the physical urge to eat, rather than a polite social grace.
- The word appétit is a loanword from the Latin appetītus, which originally described a strong desire or longing.
- In France, you might hear the response merci, vous aussi if the person wishing you bon appétit is also about to eat.
Examples in context
- Bon appétit à tous !Enjoy your meal, everyone!
- Merci, bon appétit à vous aussi.Thank you, enjoy your meal too.
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are sitting down to eat lunch at a cafe.
- LéaLe plat est arrivé, bon appétit Nathan !The dish has arrived, enjoy your meal, Nathan!
- NathanMerci Léa, bon appétit à toi aussi.Thank you Léa, enjoy your meal too.
- LéaÇa sent vraiment très bon.It smells really good.
- NathanOui, j'ai très hâte de goûter.Yes, I can't wait to taste it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bon appétit” translations and entries bon appétit, bon ap', CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries appétit, bon, bon ap', bon appétit, CC BY-SA 4.0.
