نوش جان
nooshe jan
The Persian phrase for bon appetit is نوش جان (nooshe jan).
نوش جان is used to wish someone a good meal before they start eating, or to acknowledge that someone is currently enjoying a meal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of noosh, meaning a drink or a sip and jan, meaning soul, life or dear one. Literally, it means "may it be a drink for your soul".
How does it change in a sentence?
The e sound in the middle (noosh-e jan) is the ezafe construction, which is a short vowel used to link the two words together grammatically.
How do you pronounce it?
nooshe jan
Did you know?
- The word 'noosh' originally meant 'immortal' or 'elixir' in Middle Persian. By using it today, you are essentially wishing that the meal acts as an immortalizing nectar for the listener's soul.
- While نوش جان is the standard wish for a good meal, Persians also use a complex system of 'taarof' or social etiquette to offer food multiple times before the guest accepts.
Examples in context
- سلام دوستان، خوش آمدید. بفرمایید!Hello friends, welcome. Enjoy your meal!
- ممنونم بابت آشپزی عالی. نوش جان!Thank you for the excellent cooking. Bon appétit!
- نوش جان!noosh-e jaan!Bon appetit!
- غذا نوش جان.ghaza noosh-e jaan.Enjoy your meal.
- بفرمایید، نوش جان کنید.befarmaayid, noosh-e jaan konid.Please, enjoy your meal.
Example conversation
Sara is serving lunch to Ali at home.
- سارا Saraعلی، ناهار آماده است. نوش جان!Ali, nahar amade ast. Noosh-e jan!Ali, lunch is ready. Enjoy your meal!
- علی Aliممنون سارا، خیلی خوشبو است.Mamnoon Sara, kheyli khosh-boo ast.Thanks Sara, it smells great.
- سارا Saraخوشحالم که دوست داری.Khosh-halam ke doost dari.I'm glad you like it.
- علی Aliدستت درد نکند.Dastat dard nakonad.Thank you for your effort.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries جان, نوش, نوش جان, CC BY-SA 4.0.
