bon appétit
Bon appétit (interjection) means Said to someone who is about to eat, wishing them an enjoyable meal. Example: “She set down the plates and said, bon appétit.”
How to Use Bon appétit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA polite way of saying enjoy your food.
Borrowed from French and used comfortably in English; slightly playful or formal depending on the setting.
The accent on appétit is often dropped in casual English writing, and the final t is silent.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
She set down the plates and said, _____.
Etymology
French, literally good appetite.
Synonyms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does bon appétit literally mean?
It means good appetite in French. English has no exact native equivalent, which is why the French phrase is borrowed; the closest is enjoy your meal.
Do you say bon appétit before or after you start eating?
It is said just before eating begins, usually once everyone has been served. In France it is also said politely to strangers who are about to eat, such as diners at a neighbouring table.