buen provecho
/ˌbwem pɾoˈbet͡ʃo/
The English phrase "eat well" can be translated into Spanish as buen provecho.
buen provecho is used as a polite interjection when someone is about to eat or is already eating to wish them an enjoyable meal. If you wish to emphasize the concept of eating in a healthy way in a formal context, you may use Alimentarse de Forma Saludable.
Which one should you use?
While buen provecho is the standard phrase, you may often hear the shortened version ¡Provecho! in informal settings.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌbwem pɾoˈbetʃo/
When do people say it?
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common practice to say buen provecho to others when you arrive at a table where people are already eating or when you leave a table where others are eating. The standard response to someone saying this is gracias.
Did you know?
- The word provecho is a direct linguistic cousin to the English word 'profit'. In Spanish, however, the concept has shifted from 'material gain' to 'the benefit of a good meal'.
- While buen provecho is used globally, in Mexico it is common to say ¡Provecho! even to complete strangers in a restaurant as you walk past their table.
- In some regions, a person might respond to buen provecho with igualmente, meaning 'equally' or 'likewise', if they are also eating.
Examples in context
- En nuestro restaurante, nos preocupamos por ofrecer platos saludables para que nuestros clientes puedan comer bien.In our restaurant, we care about offering healthy dishes so that our customers can eat well.
- Es fundamental que nos eduquemos sobre cómo alimentarnos de forma saludable para vivir una vida plena.It is essential that we educate ourselves on how to eat well in order to live a fulfilling life.
- ¡Buen provecho! Disfruta de la deliciosa cena en casa de tu mamá.Enjoy your meal! Enjoy the delicious dinner at your mom's house.
- ¡Que aproveche! No te pierdas el almuerzo preparado por la abuela.Enjoy your meal! Don't miss out on grandma's lunch.
- Buen provecho a todos.Enjoy your meal, everyone.
- ¡Buen provecho!Enjoy your meal!
- Les deseo buen provecho.I wish you all an enjoyable meal.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are sitting down to eat at a restaurant.
- LucíaLa comida se ve deliciosa.The food looks delicious.
- MateoSí, ¡buen provecho, Lucía!Yes, enjoy your meal, Lucía!
- LucíaGracias, buen provecho para ti también, Mateo.Thank you, enjoy your meal too, Mateo.
- MateoMuchas gracias.Thank you very much.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry buen provecho, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries buen, provecho, CC BY-SA 4.0.
