buen provecho
/ˌbwem pɾoˈbet͡ʃo/
In Spanish, "enjoy your food" is expressed as buen provecho.
This phrase is a polite way to wish someone a pleasant dining experience. It is typically said before or during a meal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of buen (good) and provecho (benefit, profit or advantage).
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing a group of people formally or collectively, you can use the phrase que tengan buen provecho to mean "may you (plural) have a good meal".
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌbwem pɾoˈbetʃo/
When do people say it?
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common etiquette to say buen provecho to people eating in nearby tables in a restaurant. When someone says this to you, the standard response is gracias.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, people use buen provecho as a polite way to excuse themselves from the table while others continue eating.
- The word provecho shares the same Latin root as the English word 'profit', implying that your meal is a way to gain 'profit' or 'advancement' for your body.
- In some Latin American cultures, it is common to say buen provecho even to the cook or the person who prepared the meal as a thank you.
Examples in context
- Buen provecho.Enjoy your food.This example shows the use of buen provecho.Tatoeba #2459564 by Shishir, translation #4430565 by Zaher
- Disfrute su comida. El chef preparó algo especial para usted.Enjoy your food. The chef prepared something special for you.
- Tenga buen provecho. Espero que disfrute de nuestra gastronomía.Enjoy your meal. I hope you enjoy our cuisine.
- ¡Buen provecho! ¡Esta paella está para chuparse los dedos!Enjoy your food! This paella is finger-licking good!
- ¡Disfruta la comida! ¡No todos los días se come tan rico!Enjoy your food! Not every day you eat this deliciously!
- Buen provecho a todos.Enjoy your meal, everyone.
- Muchas gracias, ¡buen provecho!Thank you very much, enjoy your food!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are sitting down to eat lunch.
- JavierLa comida se ve deliciosa. ¡Buen provecho!The food looks delicious. Enjoy your meal!
- ElenaGracias, Javier. Igualmente.Thanks, Javier. You too.
- JavierTengo mucha hambre.I am very hungry.
- ElenaYo también, vamos a comer.Me too, let's eat.
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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
