Guten Appetit
The English phrase "enjoy your dinner" can be translated into German as Guten Appetit.
This phrase is used to wish someone a pleasant meal just before they start eating.
What does it mean word for word?
Guten Appetit literally translates to "good appetite".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Bavaria, the expression An Guadn! is commonly used to wish someone enjoy your meal!
When do people say it?
In German-speaking cultures, it is common practice to say this phrase to everyone at the table before anyone begins eating. A common response to being told Guten Appetit is Danke, gleichfalls!, which means "Thanks, likewise!"
Did you know?
- The word Appetit shares a root with the Latin word appetō, which meant 'to assail' or 'to attack'. This implies that having an appetite was historically viewed as an aggressive striving for food.
- In German offices, Mahlzeit! is often used as a general greeting during the lunch hour, even if the person you are addressing is not actually eating at that moment.
- If you are dining in a very formal setting, such as a high-end restaurant or a state banquet, it is sometimes considered more elegant to say nothing at all and simply wait for the host to initiate the meal.
Examples in context
- Danke, auch Guten Appetit.Thanks, enjoy your meal too.
- Wir wünschen Ihnen Guten Appetit.We wish you an enjoyable meal.
Example conversation
A restaurant where the waiter has just served the food.
- JuliaHier ist das Essen für Sie.Here is the food for you.
- JulianVielen Dank!Thank you very much!
- JuliaGuten Appetit!Enjoy your meal!
- JulianDanke, das schmeckt bestimmt gut.Thanks, I am sure it tastes good.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Appetit, CC BY-SA 4.0.
