buon appetito
/ˈbwɔn ap.peˈti.to/
The English phrase "bon appétit" is translated into Italian as buon appetito.
buon appetito is used to wish someone enjoyment of the meal they are about to eat. It is usually said just before or during a meal when everyone is about to start eating.
Meaning: used to wish someone enjoyment of the meal they are about to eat (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective buon (good) and the noun appetito (appetite).
Which one should you use?
While English speakers often use the French phrase "bon appétit", the Italian equivalent is buon appetito.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈbwɔn ap.peˈti.to/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
When do people say it?
If someone wishes you buon appetito, it is customary to respond with a simple grazie. A common polite response is Grazie, altrettanto! (Thank you, same to you!).
Did you know?
- In some highly formal or aristocratic Italian circles, saying buon appetito can actually be considered slightly impolite, as it implies that the person's appetite is the focus rather than the meal itself.
- The Italian word appetito can be used in a non-culinary sense to describe a strong desire for power or success, such as having an appetito di potere.
- In Italian, the phrase perdere l'appetito meaning 'to lose one's appetite' is often used idiomatically to describe being suddenly disgusted or shocked by a piece of news.
Examples in context
- Buon appetito a tutti!Enjoy your meal, everyone!
- Buon appetito, caro.Enjoy your meal, dear.
Example conversation
Francesco and Giulia are sitting down to eat lunch at home.
- FrancescoIl pranzo è pronto.Lunch is ready.
- GiuliaGrazie, buon appetito!Thank you, enjoy your meal!
- FrancescoBuon appetito anche a te, Giulia.Enjoy your meal too, Giulia.
- GiuliaGrazie, Francesco.Thank you, Francesco.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bon appétit” translations and entries buon appetito, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
