Meaning & use
buon appetito
Last updated
Meanings
interjectionfixed phrase
A friendly thing to say to someone just before they start eating, wishing them a pleasant meal.
Grammar: Used on its own as a set phrase, usually said once as people sit down to eat.
Patterns
- say buon appetito to someone
- buon appetito, everyone
The pasta is ready, so buon appetito!
She raised her glass and said, 'Buon appetito, everyone.'
Buon appetito — I hope you like the soup.
phrasefixed phrase
Used as a heading or caption on a menu or food post to wish readers a good meal.
Grammar: Written rather than spoken, often alone on a line, sometimes with an exclamation mark.
Patterns
- Buon appetito! (as a heading)
The restaurant's menu ended with a cheerful 'Buon appetito!'
His photo of the pizza came with the caption 'Buon appetito from Rome!'
Common combinations
- say buon appetito
- Everyone said buon appetito before picking up their forks.
- buon appetito to everyone
- Buon appetito to everyone at the table!
- wish someone buon appetito
- Our host wished us buon appetito as the plates arrived.
- a hearty buon appetito
- He gave us a hearty buon appetito and started serving.
Synonyms and how they differ
- enjoy your meal
- The plain English equivalent; it fits any situation, while 'buon appetito' sounds a little more Mediterranean and informal.
- bon appétit
- The French version of the same wish; use it with French food or French-speaking company rather than Italian.
Commonly confused: buon appetito or appetite?
buon appetito vs appetite
'Appetite' is the English noun for wanting food; 'buon appetito' is the whole Italian phrase said before a meal, not a noun you can use on its own.
Practice
Your Italian friend is about to taste the dish you cooked. What do you say?
Choose one answer.
'Buon appetito' is the fixed Italian phrase English speakers borrow for this moment. 'Good appetite' is a literal translation and is not used as a wish in English, and the other two are not natural English at all.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “buon appetito”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.