In German
Guten Appetit!
Meaning: enjoy your meal, bon appétit
Formal or informal? Said before eating together, in both casual and formal settings — a universal social ritual in German-speaking countries, almost always said before the first bite.
Example sentences
GutenAppetit,lassteseuchschmecken!
Enjoy your meal, dig in!
GutenAppetitallenamTisch!
Enjoy your meal, everyone at the table!
Nadann,gutenAppetit!
Well then, enjoy your meal!
Common mistake
Don't skip saying “Guten Appetit” before a shared meal in Germany — it's expected, and not saying it can feel abrupt or impolite.
Quick check
Which phrase is said before eating, meaning “enjoy your meal”?
More words on this topic
Keep learning German
Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
When do Germans say “Guten Appetit”?
Right before eating, almost always, in both casual and formal settings.
How do you respond to “Guten Appetit”?
You can simply say it back, “Guten Appetit!”, or “Danke, gleichfalls!” (thanks, same to you).