smacznego
/smat͡ʂˈnɛ.ɡɔ/
The Polish phrase for "enjoy your food" is smacznego.
You use smacznego to wish someone a good meal just before they begin eating. It is the standard and most common way to express this sentiment in Poland.
What does it mean word for word?
The word smacznego is the genitive form of the adjective smaczny (tasty), and it literally means "of tasty [things]".
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike many Polish expressions, smacznego does not change depending on whether you are addressing one person or a group. It remains the same.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable. It is pronounced /smatʂˈnɛ.ɡɔ/.
When do people say it?
When someone says Smacznego! to you, a natural response is to say Dziękuję (thank you) and, if they are also eating, smacznego back to them. Note that the phrase na zdrowie means "to your health".
Did you know?
- While smacznego is the standard wish, some traditionalists avoid it because they believe it implies the food is not already tasty.
- Unlike the English 'bon appétit', which is a borrowed French phrase, smacznego is a purely Slavic construction based on the adjective for 'tasty'.
- In many Polish households, if you are the guest, it is considered polite to wait for the host to say smacznego before you take your first bite.
Examples in context
- Smacznego!Enjoy your food.This example shows how to use smacznego to wish someone a good meal.Tatoeba #349108 by zipangu, translation #4430565 by Zaher
- Smacznego, wszystkim!Enjoy your food, everyone!
- Dziękuję, smacznego!Thank you, enjoy your meal!
Example conversation
Anna and Paweł are sitting down to lunch at home.
- AnnaObiad jest gotowy, smacznego!Dinner is ready, enjoy your food!
- PawełDziękuję, Anno. Smacznego!Thank you, Anna. Enjoy your meal!
- AnnaTo wygląda bardzo pysznie.This looks very delicious.
- PawełTak, mam nadzieję, że będzie dobry.Yes, I hope it will be good.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry smacznego, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
