buona cena
The Italian phrase for "enjoy your dinner" is buona cena.
buona cena is a polite way to wish someone a pleasant meal, functioning similarly to the French "bon appétit" but specifically for the dinner period. It is used as a way to say "enjoy your dinner".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective buona (good) and the noun cena (dinner).
Which one should you use?
While buona cena specifically refers to the dinner period, the phrase buon appetito is a more general wish for someone to enjoy the act of eating any meal.
When do people say it?
Buon appetito! is another common way to say "Enjoy your meal" and is suitable for both formal and informal situations.
Did you know?
- In some formal Italian settings, saying buon appetito or buona cena can actually be seen as slightly impolite, as it can imply that the person's appetite is something that needs to be stimulated.
- The word cena shares a deep linguistic root with the English word 'cut', stemming from the Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to cut' or 'to divide'.
- While buona cena wishes someone a good meal, the response is typically altrettanto, which means 'the same to you'.
Examples in context
- Buona cena a tutti!Enjoy your dinner, everyone!
- Grazie, buona cena anche a te.Thank you, enjoy your dinner too.
- Ti auguro una buona cena.I wish you a pleasant dinner.
Example conversation
Lorenzo is leaving the house while Sofia starts eating.
- LorenzoIo vado via ora, Sofia.I am leaving now, Sofia.
- SofiaVa bene, a domani!All right, see you tomorrow!
- LorenzoA domani, buona cena!See you tomorrow, enjoy your dinner!
- SofiaGrazie, Lorenzo!Thank you, Lorenzo!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cena, CC BY-SA 4.0.
