buen provecho
/ˌbwem pɾoˈbet͡ʃo/
The English phrase "happy eating" is translated into Spanish as buen provecho.
Buen provecho is used to wish someone an enjoyable meal. You can use it when you are about to eat with others or when you are simply passing by people who are already eating.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of buen (good) and provecho (benefit, profit or enjoyment).
Which one should you use?
While buen provecho is common, que aproveche is a frequent alternative that means "may it be useful/enjoyable".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Buen provecho is considered slightly more polite or formal than the more colloquial que aproveche. For a formal way to say "May you enjoy it", you can use Que lo disfrute or Que lo disfruten when addressing a group.
How does it change in a sentence?
The alternative phrase que aproveche uses the subjunctive mood to express a wish.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌbwem pɾoˈbetʃo/
When do people say it?
When someone says buen provecho to you, the standard response is gracias.
Did you know?
- The word provecho is a direct linguistic cousin to the English word 'profit', as both trace back to the same Latin root meaning 'progress' or 'advancement'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, it is considered impolite to leave a table without saying buen provecho to those still eating.
- Because provecho relates to 'benefit', saying buen provecho is essentially wishing that the food provides actual physical benefit to the person's body.
Examples in context
- ¡Que lo disfrute(s)! La comida aquí es exquisita.Enjoy your meal! The food here is exquisite.
- Buen apetito. Disfrute de su comida.Enjoy your meal. Enjoy your food.
- ¡Que aproveche! ¡Estoy seguro de que te encantará esta comida casera!Enjoy your meal! I'm sure you'll love this home-cooked food!
- ¡Buen provecho! Esta comida está para chuparse los dedos.Enjoy your meal! This food is finger-lickin' good.
- ¡Buen apetito! Que disfrutes de esta comida mexicana auténtica.Enjoy your meal! May you enjoy this authentic Mexican food.
- Buen provecho a todos.Enjoy your meal, everyone.
- Muchas gracias, buen provecho.Thank you very much, enjoy your meal.
- ¡Buen provecho! La comida está deliciosa.Enjoy your meal! The food is delicious.
Example conversation
A couple is sitting down at a restaurant to eat.
- MaríaLa sopa se ve muy buena.The soup looks very good.
- AlejandroSí, buen provecho, María.Yes, enjoy your meal, María.
- MaríaGracias, Alejandro. ¡Buen provecho para ti también!Thanks, Alejandro. Enjoy your meal too!
- AlejandroMuchas gracias.Thank you very much.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry buen provecho, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries buen, provecho, CC BY-SA 4.0.
