בתיאבון
Bete'avon
The Hebrew phrase for "enjoy your meal" is בתיאבון (Bete'avon).
בתיאבון is used to wish someone a pleasant meal before they begin eating. It can also serve as a polite response when someone says "thank you" to you after you have served them food.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition ב (with) and the noun תיאבון (appetite), literally meaning "with appetite."
How do you pronounce it?
Bete'avon
Did you know?
- The root of תיאבון also appears in the word תאווה, which describes intense 'lust' or 'passion', linking the act of eating to deep human desire.
- Hebrew speakers may use בתיאבון sarcastically when someone is eating something that looks unappetizing or strange.
- Because the phrase is so short and ubiquitous, Israelis often use בתיאבון as a verbal 'stamp' to signal that the eating process is officially allowed to start.
Examples in context
- בתיאבון!Enjoy your meal!This example shows the phrase used as an exclamation.Tatoeba #1134427 by Eldad, translation #2370 by CK
- בתיאבון.Enjoy your meal.This example shows the phrase used as a standard statement.Tatoeba #2569475 by VirtuOZ, translation #2192197 by acbarbosa
- שלח לי תמונה של האוכל שלך. בתיאבון!Send me a picture of your food. Enjoy your meal!
- בתיאבון, האוכל נראה מצוין.beti'avon, ha'okhel nira metzuyan.Enjoy your meal, the food looks excellent.
Example conversation
Ido serves Rotem a plate of food at home.
- עידו Idoהנה התפריט של היום, בתיאבון!Hine ha-tahrit shel hayom, betiyavon!Here is today's menu, enjoy your meal!
- רוטם Rotemתודה רבה, עידו. זה נראה טעים.Toda raba, Ido. Ze nira ta'im.Thank you very much, Ido. This looks delicious.
- עידו Idoאני שמח שאת אוהבת את זה.Ani same'ach she-at ohevet et ze.I'm glad that you like it.
- רוטם Rotemבוא נאכל ביחד.Bo nokhal beyachad.Let's eat together.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
