Bedeutung
A polite phrase said before eating.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In France, it is considered rude to start eating before the host has said 'Bon appétit'. It is the official signal that the meal has begun. While 'Bon appétit' is used, you might also hear 'Bon dîner' for lunch. Note that in Quebec, 'dîner' is lunch and 'souper' is dinner, unlike in France where 'déjeuner' is lunch and 'dîner' is dinner. In many West African French-speaking countries, communal eating is common. Saying 'Bon appétit' is a way to acknowledge the shared plate, even if you are just passing by. Belgians use 'Bon appétit' just like the French, but they are generally less 'snobbish' about the etiquette rules surrounding the phrase compared to some Parisian circles.
The Response
If someone says it to you, simply say 'Merci !' or 'Merci, à vous aussi !' if they are also eating.
Silent T
Never pronounce the 't' at the end. It's a dead giveaway that you're a beginner.
Bedeutung
A polite phrase said before eating.
The Response
If someone says it to you, simply say 'Merci !' or 'Merci, à vous aussi !' if they are also eating.
Silent T
Never pronounce the 't' at the end. It's a dead giveaway that you're a beginner.
The 'Bon Ap' Shortcut
Use 'Bon ap'' with people your own age or younger to sound much more like a local.
Wait for the Host
At a formal dinner, wait for the host to say it before you pick up your fork.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct masculine form of the phrase.
Comment dit-on 'Enjoy your meal' en français ?
'Appétit' is masculine singular, so it takes 'Bon'.
Complete the informal version of the phrase.
Salut les amis ! Bon ___ !
'Bon ap'' is the standard informal clipping used with friends.
Match the response to the situation.
A waiter brings your food and says 'Bon appétit !'. What do you say?
You thank the waiter. You wouldn't usually say 'to you too' unless the waiter is also about to eat.
Fill in the missing line in this office dialogue.
Marc: Je vais déjeuner. Sophie: D'accord, _________ !
Since Marc is going to lunch (déjeuner), 'Bon appétit' is the appropriate wish.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenComment dit-on 'Enjoy your meal' en français ?
'Appétit' is masculine singular, so it takes 'Bon'.
Salut les amis ! Bon ___ !
'Bon ap'' is the standard informal clipping used with friends.
A waiter brings your food and says 'Bon appétit !'. What do you say?
You thank the waiter. You wouldn't usually say 'to you too' unless the waiter is also about to eat.
Marc: Je vais déjeuner. Sophie: D'accord, _________ !
Since Marc is going to lunch (déjeuner), 'Bon appétit' is the appropriate wish.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt is neutral. It's used in both formal restaurants and informal homes. Only the shortened 'Bon ap'' is strictly informal.
Yes, if you pass someone eating in a park or a breakroom, it's a very common and polite 'micro-interaction'.
In very old, aristocratic French circles, it's seen as focusing too much on the 'animal' act of eating, but this is very rare today.
Always before the first bite.
It is 'Bon' because 'appétit' is a masculine noun.
The short version is 'Bon ap''.
No, for drinks you say 'Santé !' (Health) or 'Tchin-tchin !'.
Yes, it is universal across the Francophonie.
The 'n' of 'bon' should sound like it starts the word 'appétit' (bon-nappétit).
Yes, you say it to the people who *are* eating.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Bonne dégustation
specialized formEnjoy the tasting
Régalez-vous
similarTreat yourselves / Feast
Bon ap'
synonymEnjoy (shortened)
Fais-toi plaisir
similarEnjoy yourself / Treat yourself
Bonne continuation
contrastGood luck with the rest
