bon appétit
/bɔ.n‿a.pe.ti/
The English phrase "enjoy your lunch" can be translated into French as bon appétit.
bon appétit is the most common way to wish someone a good meal in French and can be used for lunch. You can also use the more specific phrase Profite bien de ton déjeuner to say "make the most of your lunch".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase bon appétit literally translates to "good appetite".
Which one should you use?
For a more specific and informal sentiment, you can say Profite bien de ton déjeuner. If you want to be very formal, you can use Je vous souhaite un bon déjeuner, which means "I wish you a good lunch".
How do you pronounce it?
The phrase has 4 syllables and is pronounced /bɔ.n‿a.pe.ti/.
When do people say it?
In French culture, it is common to say bon appétit to the people you are eating with before starting the meal.
Did you know?
- While many languages use a phrase meaning 'good eating', some strict traditionalists in France once considered bon appétit to be slightly vulgar because it focuses on the physical desire for food.
- In some very high-society circles, instead of bon appétit, it is considered more elegant to say nothing at all and simply wait for the host to begin.
- In a formal business lunch, the phrase bon appétit is often replaced by bonne dégustation if the meal is particularly fine or gourmet.
Examples in context
- Je vous souhaite un bon appétit.I wish you a good meal.
- Passez un agréable déjeuner.Have a pleasant lunch.
- Bon app' à tous !Enjoy your meal, everyone!
- Profite bien de ton déjeuner, mon ami !Make the most of your lunch, my friend!
- Bon appétit !Enjoy your meal!
- Merci, bon appétit à vous aussi.Thank you, enjoy your meal too.
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are leaving the office for their lunch break.
- EmmaÀ tout à l'heure, Hugo.See you later, Hugo.
- HugoD'accord, bon appétit, Emma !Okay, enjoy your meal, Emma!
- EmmaMerci, bon appétit à toi aussi.Thank you, enjoy your meal too.
- HugoMerci, à plus tard.Thank you, see you later.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bon appétit, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
