afiyet olsun
/aː.fi.jet‿olˈsun/
To say "enjoy your meal" in Turkish, use afiyet olsun.
Afiyet olsun is a polite phrase used to wish someone well when they are about to eat or while they are currently eating.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of afiyet (health, well-being or ease) and olsun (may it be), literally meaning "may it be health".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the third-person singular optative form of the verb olmak, which makes it a wish rather than a direct command.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /aː.fi.jet‿olˈsun/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 4th syllable. The sounds are as follows: the /f/ is like the [f] in food, the /i/ is like the [ee] in creek, the /j/ is like the [y] in yes, the /s/ is like the [s] in send, the /u/ is like the [oo] in cool and the /n/ is like the [n] in not.
When do people say it?
When someone says afiyet olsun to you, the standard response is Teşekkür ederim (Thank you).
Did you know?
- If you are the host and want to be extra hospitable, you can say Ellerine sağlık to the person who cooked the meal, meaning 'health to your hands'.
- The phrase can be used ironically to tease someone who is eating something they should not be, or who is eating very greedily.
- Unlike the English 'enjoy your meal', afiyet olsun can be said after a person has finished eating to wish them that the food brings health to their body.
Examples in context
- Lütfen buyurun, afiyet olsun!Please help yourself. Enjoy your meal!The first example shows how to use afiyet olsun when inviting someone to eat.Tatoeba #4658792 by duran, translation #2843348 by AqQoyriq
- Afiyet olsun!Enjoy your meal!The second example is a common way to say afiyet olsun.Tatoeba #478766 by soliloquist, translation #2370 by CK
- Afiyet olsun.Enjoy your meal.The third example shows the phrase used as a polite statement.Tatoeba #1329357 by Gulo_Luscus, translation #2192197 by acbarbosa
- Sağlıklı ve afiyetli olsun.May it be healthy and delicious.
- Bol şans ve afiyet olsun!Good luck and enjoy your meal!
- Güzel sofralarınızda afiyet ola.May you have enjoyment in your beautiful feasts.
Example conversation
Emre serves dinner to Merve at home.
- EmreYemek hazır, hadi gel!Dinner is ready, come on!
- MerveHarika görünüyor, teşekkürler.It looks great, thanks.
- EmreAfiyet olsun Merve.Enjoy your meal, Merve.
- MerveSağ ol Emre.Thanks, Emre.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry afiyet olsun, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
