View Article: Buon appetito! (2024)

FAQs

What to reply to buon appetito? ›

Polite Italian Expression

It's also common for waiters to wish their customers Buon appetito!, in which case responding just Grazie is sufficient.

In the context of Italian dining, it's a reminder to slow down, savor the moment, and appreciate the simple pleasures that come from a delicious meal shared with loved ones.

"Buon appetito" is an italian phrase said before and during a meal, thus, it is certainly categorized as an eating phrase. Buon appetito!

If someone tells you Bon appétit, you can answer Merci (= thank you) if they're not eating as well (if they're a waiter, for instance). If they are eating at the same time, you only need to wish them the same: Bon appétit”.

Although some might say it's now an obsolete tradition, it's still common in Italy to wish others at the table Buon appetito! However, for those who want to steer clear of controversy, you can also say either, Buon pranzo! for lunch or Buona cena! It's also not uncommon to just say, Prego!

On this page you'll find 5 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to bon appétit!, such as: chow down!, eat hearty!, eat up!, enjoy your meal, and good appetite.

The meal begins with a chorus of “buon appetito”, the Italian saying before eating, which translates into “have a good appetite”.

Che buono/a! is the first and most important compliment you can say about any dish. It means “good” in a general sense, but when it comes to food, it means “tasty” or “delicious.” Feel free to use or include any of the exaggerated adjectives that were listed before! Che buono! Posso assaggiare? (“So good!

The right Italian is BUONGIORNO (Good Morning).

There are many ways to express appreciation to what you are eating, the most common one is: “buono!” but you can also say “delizioso” ( meaning delightful ) or “squisito” , less common but more indicated for describing appreciation for food.

What do Italians say when ready to eat? ›

What Do You Say Before a Meal in Italy? Before digging in, make sure your host sits down and announces “Buon appetito!”. It's considered rude not to wait for this phrase!

If you eat with the person who tells you “bon appétit” the most polite thing to say would be “à vous/toi aussi” (depending on whether you eat with a friend or colleague ; if you eat with someone you do not know personally, or an elderly person or simply someone you want to show respect to, it is more polite to say “ ...

It's appropriate to respond “Grazie, Buon Natale a te!” which aptly means “Thank you, Merry Christmas to you too!” a different but similar way to respond would be “Grazie, altrettanto, buone feste!” meaning “Thank you to you too, happy holidays!” and very simply you can also reply “Buon Natale” if someone wishes you.

Start with a formal hello (Buongiorno/Buonasera), then say mi chiamo (my name is) followed by your name. If someone introduces you or the other person introduces yourself first, you can say Piacere di conoscerti or simply, Piacere. This means nice to meet you, and the other person will say it back.