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How to Say ‘Enjoy your meal!’ in German

Guten Appetit!

GOO-ten ah-peh-TEET

[GOO-ten ah-peh-TEET]

🇩🇪 In Germany: Said before anyone starts eating, and it's polite to wait for it. Colleagues say it to each other in the canteen too, and coworkers often shorten it to Mahlzeit!.

Phrase Breakdown

Guten

[GOO-ten]

good

Form of 'gut' used before masculine nouns in greetings (accusative).

Example

Guten Abend, Herr Müller!

Good evening, Mr. Müller!

Appetit

[ah-peh-TEET]

appetite / enjoy your meal

Used in the fixed phrase Guten Appetit to wish someone enjoyment of their meal.

Example

Vor dem Essen sagt man oft Appetit in der Phrase Guten Appetit.

Before eating, people often say Appetit in the phrase Guten Appetit.

Guides for German learners

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