buon pranzo
/ˈbwɔn ˈpran.d͡zo/word by word
The Italian phrase for "enjoy your lunch" is buon pranzo.
buon pranzo is a polite wish used when someone is about to eat their midday meal. It is typically used when someone is leaving you to go eat, or if you are departing from a restaurant or cafeteria while others remain to eat.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "good lunch".
Which one should you use?
While buon pranzo focuses specifically on the meal itself, buon appetito! is a more common way to wish someone a good appetite right before they begin eating.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, buon is the truncated form of the adjective buono, which is used before a masculine noun starting with a consonant.
How do you pronounce it?
The stress is on the first of the three syllables.
When do people say it?
To wish someone a good meal, you can also use Buon appetito!, which means "good appetite". This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
Did you know?
- In Italy, saying buon appetito is often viewed as a 'secular' replacement for a religious blessing over the food.
- In Italy, the pranzo is traditionally the most important meal of the day, often involving multiple courses and a longer break than the English 'lunch'.
- The word pranzo descends from the Latin prandium, which originally referred to a light mid-morning snack rather than the main meal of the day.
Examples in context
- Buon pranzo a tutti!Enjoy your lunch, everyone!
- Buon pranzo, caro Alessandro.Enjoy your lunch, dear Alessandro.
- Ti auguro buon pranzo.I wish you a good lunch.
Example conversation
Chiara and Alessandro are leaving the office for a break.
- ChiaraVado finalmente a mangiare.I'm finally going to eat.
- AlessandroAllora buon pranzo, Chiara!In that case, enjoy your lunch, Chiara!
- ChiaraGrazie, anche a te!Thanks, you too!
- AlessandroGrazie, a dopo.Thanks, see you later.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (buon, pranzo) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pranzo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
