bon appétit
/bɔ.n‿a.pe.ti/
The English phrase "provecho" is expressed in French as bon appétit.
Bon appétit! is a common expression used in French to wish someone a good meal.
Which one should you use?
In everyday, casual conversations, you may hear the abbreviated, colloquial form Bon app! For a more polite and formal approach, you can use the full sentence Je vous souhaite un bon appétit!
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, you might hear the phrase Bon appétit, mon chum!, which means "Good appetite, buddy!"
How do you pronounce it?
/bɔ.n‿a.pe.ti/
Did you know?
- While 'bon appétit' is the standard, some highly formal etiquette circles in France consider it slightly impolite to say it, as it focuses on the physical urge of hunger rather than the pleasure of the meal.
- If you are dining in a very formal French setting, it is often more common to wait for the host to initiate any remark about the meal rather than offering 'bon appétit' yourself.
- In some French families, the response to bon appétit is not a thank you, but simply repeating the phrase back to the other person.
Examples in context
- Bon appétit! Je vous souhaite un bon repas!Wishing someone a good meal in a polite and formal way.
- Bon app! Régalez-vous!Expressing casual good wishes among friends before a meal.
- Profite bien et savoure ton dîner!Encouraging someone to enjoy and savor their dinner in an informal manner.
- Bon appétit !Enjoy your meal!
- Merci, bon appétit à vous aussi.Thank you, enjoy your meal too.
- On va manger, bon appétit tout le monde !We're going to eat, enjoy your meal everyone!
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are sitting down for lunch.
- EmmaLe repas a l'air délicieux, bon appétit !The meal looks delicious, enjoy your meal!
- NathanMerci Emma, toi aussi !Thank you Emma, you too!
- EmmaMerci, Nathan.Thank you, Nathan.
- NathanOn commence à manger ?Shall we start eating?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bon appétit, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
