ήταν νόστιμο
ítan nóstimo
The English phrase 'it was delicious' is translated into Greek as ήταν νόστιμο (ítan nóstimo).
This phrase is used to compliment a meal after eating it. To express an even higher level of satisfaction, such as saying a meal was mouth-watering or tasted heavenly, you can use the informal phrase Ήταν πεντανόστιμο. Additionally, Greek speakers often use the adjectives υπέροχο (wonderful) or εξαιρετικό (excellent) to express a high level of satisfaction with a meal.
Meaning: phrase said to compliment a meal after eating it (phrase)
Which one should you use?
If you are specifically referring to multiple items, such as cookies or olives, you use the neuter plural form ήταν νόστιμα.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase ήταν νόστιμο uses the neuter form of the adjective νόστιμο to refer to the meal as a whole.
How do you pronounce it?
ítan nóstimo
Did you know?
- Instead of just complimenting the food, you can honor the person who made it by saying γεια τα χέρια σου, meaning 'health to your hands'.
- While νόστιμο describes the taste, Greeks often use the word γλυκό meaning 'sweet' to describe a personality or a kind gesture, even if no food is involved.
- If you want to say something was 'tasty' in a more visceral way, you can use μου άρεσε πολύ, which literally means 'it pleased me a lot'. While it sounds simple, it is a common way to express genuine satisfaction with food in casual settings.
Examples in context
- Το φαγητό που μας πρόσφεραν ήταν πολύ νόστιμο.The food they offered us was very tasty.
- Το φαγητό που δοκίμασα σήμερα ήταν υπέροχο.The food I tried today was wonderful.
- Πρέπει να δοκιμάσεις αυτό το φαγητό. Ήταν πεντανόστιμο!You have to try this dish. It was mouth-watering!
- Το φαγητό ήταν νόστιμο.To fagitó ítan nóstimo.The food was delicious.
- Το γλυκό ήταν νόστιμο.To glykó ítan nóstimo.The dessert was delicious.
Example conversation
Nikos and Eleni are finishing dinner at Eleni's house.
- Νίκος NikosΕυχαριστώ για το δείπνο, ήταν νόστιμο.Efcharisto gia to dinopno, itan nostimo.Thank you for the dinner, it was delicious.
- Ελένη EleniΧαίρομαι που σου άρεσε, Νίκο.Cheromai pou sou arese, Niko.I am glad you liked it, Nikos.
- Νίκος NikosΠοια ήταν η μυστική συνταγή;Poia itan i mystiki syntagi?What was the secret recipe?
- Ελένη EleniΘα σου πω αργότερα!Tha sou po argotera!I will tell you later!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “it was delicious” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
