Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| buen provecho | /ˌbwem pɾoˈbet͡ʃo/ | general |
| provecho | /pɾoˈbet͡ʃo/ | |
| que aproveche | /ke apɾoˈbet͡ʃe/ | general |
These phrases are used to wish someone enjoyment of the meal they are about to eat. Buen provecho is a versatile way to say "Enjoy your meal" in both formal and informal contexts. You can also use ¡A disfrutar! or ¡Que lo disfrutes! to informally wish someone a pleasant meal.
What does it mean word for word?
The word provecho literally means "profit", "benefit" or "advantage". Therefore, the phrase implies a wish that the food provides a benefit to the person eating it.
Which one should you use?
While buen provecho is a noun phrase, que aproveche uses a subjunctive verb construction to express a wish, which gives it a slightly more active tone. In very casual settings among friends or family, you may also hear the phrase shortened simply to provecho.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, Uruguay and parts of Chile, you may hear ¡Buen apetito! In the Caribbean, specifically in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, ¡Que aproveche! is commonly used. Additionally, ¡A disfrutar! is used in both Spain and Latin America.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌbwem pɾoˈbetʃo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the French "bon appétit" in Spanish-speaking countries. Instead, use the natural Spanish equivalent buen provecho.
When do people say it?
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is considered polite to say buen provecho to others even if you are not eating with them, such as when walking past a table in a restaurant.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Buen provecho a todos.Enjoy your meal, everyone.
- ¡Buen provecho con la cena!Enjoy your dinner!
- Les deseo un buen provecho.I wish you an enjoyable meal.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are sitting down to eat lunch at a restaurant.
- LucíaLa comida se ve deliciosa.The food looks delicious.
- JavierSí, ¡buen provecho, Lucía!Yes, enjoy your meal, Lucía!
- LucíaMuchas gracias, Javier.Thank you very much, Javier.
- JavierIgualmente para ti.The same to you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bon appétit” translations and entries buen provecho, provecho, que aproveche, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries buen, provecho, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
