بصحة
bessahaMoroccan, everyday
In Morocco people say بصحة (bessaha) to wish someone a good meal. It is short, warm and used at home and in restaurants. It is also called بسم الله (bismillah) and بالصحة والراحة (bessaha w raha).
Meaning: wish for someone eating (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| بصحة | bessaha | Moroccan, everyday |
| بسم الله | bismillah | before eating |
| بالصحة والراحة | bessaha w raha | Moroccan, warm |
بصحة (bessaha) comes from صحة (sehha), "health". The fuller بالصحة والراحة (bessaha w raha) adds "and rest". The usual answer is الله يبارك فيك (Allah ibarek fik).
Which one should you use?
Moroccans often begin the meal with بسم الله (bismillah) and do not use the French bon appétit as a set phrase, though it is understood in cities.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The pattern ب + noun is typical of Maghrebi speech. Compare Eastern Arabic بالهنا والشفا (bil-hana wash-shifa).
Did you know?
- The Moroccan dialect is called Darija, and it borrows many words from French and Amazigh languages.
Examples in context
- بصحة، كلو مزيانbessaha, klu mzyanEnjoy, eat well.
- بسم الله، بصحة عليكمbismillah, bessaha alikumIn God's name, enjoy your meal.
- الله يبارك فيكAllah ibarek fikGod bless you (the reply).
Example conversation
Karim's mother serves tagine to Karim and his friend Youssef in Fez.
- Mamaبسم الله، بصحةbismillah, bessahaIn God's name, enjoy.
- Youssefالله يبارك فيك أ لالةAllah ibarek fik a lallaGod bless you, madam.
- Karimبصحة عليك أ يوسفbessaha alik a YoussefEnjoy it, Youssef.
