buon appetito
/ˈbwɔn ap.peˈti.to/
The English phrase "good eating" is translated into Italian as buon appetito.
buon appetito is the standard phrase used in Italy to wish others an enjoyable meal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of buon (good) and appetito (appetite).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈbwɔn ap.peˈti.to/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
When do people say it?
In many Italian social settings, it is considered polite to say buon appetito to others at the table before starting to eat. If someone says this to you, a common polite response is grazie, altrettanto (thanks, same to you). If you wish to express that food is delicious informally, you can say Che buono! (How delicious!).
Did you know?
- In very traditional or high-society circles, saying buon appetito can actually be seen as a breach of etiquette because it interrupts the quiet dignity of the meal.
- In some regions of Italy, it is customary to wait for the eldest person at the table to say buon appetito before anyone else begins eating.
- The Latin ancestor of appetito is appetītus, which translates more accurately to 'a seeking' or 'a desire' rather than just the physical sensation of hunger.
Examples in context
- Che buono!How delicious!
- Buon appetito a tutti!Enjoy your meal, everyone!
- Grazie, buon appetito anche a te!Thanks, enjoy your meal too!
Example conversation
Matteo and Sofia are sitting down to lunch at a restaurant.
- MatteoIl cibo sembra delizioso, buon appetito, Sofia!The food looks delicious, enjoy your meal, Sofia!
- SofiaGrazie, Matteo! Buon appetito anche a te.Thanks, Matteo! Enjoy your meal too.
- MatteoGrazie mille.Thanks a lot.
- SofiaMangiamo!Let's eat!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry buon appetito, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries appetito, buon appetito, CC BY-SA 4.0.
