In German, there are several ways to wish someone a good meal, depending on the context, formality, and region. While "Guten Appetit!" is the most common equivalent to the French "Bon Appétit," there are many alternative expressions used across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the different phrases and their meanings.
1. Guten Appetit!
This is the most widely used and neutral phrase to say “Enjoy your meal” in German. It can be used in any setting, whether formal or informal, and is commonly heard in restaurants, at family meals, or among friends.
📍 Example:
👨🍳 Waiter: Guten Appetit! (Enjoy your meal!)
👫 Guests: Danke, gleichfalls! (Thanks, you too!)
⚠️ Note: "Guten" is the accusative form of "gut" (good), and "Appetit" is a masculine noun in the accusative case. Learn more about adjective declensions in German in another post.
2. Mahlzeit!
Originally meaning "meal" or "mealtime," "Mahlzeit!" is another way to say "Enjoy your meal," but it has some regional and cultural nuances:
It is commonly used in workplace settings in Germany, especially in office environments, to greet colleagues around lunchtime.
In some regions, it simply serves as a general midday greeting rather than a direct reference to food.
📍 Example:
👨💼 Colleague 1: Mahlzeit! (A common greeting around noon in workplaces.)
👩💼 Colleague 2: Mahlzeit! (Replying in the same way.)
⚠️ Note: Be cautious—saying "Prost Mahlzeit!" (Cheers, mealtime!) in a sarcastic tone often expresses frustration or disapproval in certain contexts.
3. Lass es dir schmecken! (informal) / Lassen Sie es sich schmecken! (formal)
This phrase means “Let it taste good to you” and is often used in casual settings when food is served. The formal version is appropriate in polite or professional situations.
📍 Example:
👩🍳 Host: Lass es dir schmecken! (Enjoy your meal!)
👦 Guest: Danke! (Thanks!)
⚠️ Note: Lass" is the imperative form of the verb "lassen" (to let), "es" is the accusative pronoun for "it," and "dir" is the dative pronoun for "you." "Schmecken" is the infinitive form of the verb "schmecken" (to taste) and it is one of several dative verbs in German that need to be memorised.
4. Wohl bekomm’s!
This is a somewhat old-fashioned and formal phrase that means "May it be good for you" or "May it agree with you." It was historically more common but is still heard in traditional German restaurants or from older generations.
📍 Example:
👨🍷 Waiter in a traditional restaurant: Wohl bekomm’s!
👩💼 Customer: Danke!
5. An Guadn! (Bavarian dialect) / En Guete! (Swiss German dialect)
These regional expressions are frequently used in Bavaria, Austria, and Switzerland:
"An Guadn!" – Common in Bavaria and Austria, meaning “A good one!”
"En Guete!" – The Swiss German equivalent of "Guten Appetit."
📍 Example:
👨🌾 Bavarian waiter: An Guadn!
👨🍳 Swiss chef: En Guete!
6. Guten Hunger!
This phrase literally translates to "Good hunger!" and is sometimes used humorously before a meal to emphasise a big appetite. However, it is not as common as "Guten Appetit."
📍 Example:
👨👩👧👦 Family before a meal: Guten Hunger!
👦 Child: Ich habe richtig Hunger! (I’m really hungry!)
7. Herein! (Bavarian & traditional beer garden use)
In traditional Bavarian beer gardens, guests sometimes say "Herein!" ("Bring it in!") when food is served, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere.
📍 Example:
🍻 Group in a beer garden: Herein!
👩🍳 The waiter brings in the food with a smile.
8. Prost Mahlzeit! (Sarcastic or humorous usage)
Although it combines "Prost" (cheers) and "Mahlzeit" (mealtime), this phrase is often used ironically or sarcastically. For example, if something goes wrong at work or in daily life, people might say "Prost Mahlzeit!" in a frustrated tone.
📍 Example:
👨💼 Boss announces more work just before lunch.
👩💼 Employee (mumbling): Na, Prost Mahlzeit... (Great, just what we needed...)
How to Respond to These Phrases?
When someone wishes you a good meal, you can reply with:
"Danke, gleichfalls!" (Thanks, same to you!)
"Vielen Dank!" (Thank you very much!)
"Dankeschön!" (Thanks a lot!)
Conclusion: What’s the Best Phrase to Use?
If you’re in doubt, "Guten Appetit!" is always a safe and universally accepted choice. However, if you're in Bavaria, try "An Guadn!", and in Switzerland, go for "En Guete!". Understanding these different expressions will help you sound more natural and culturally aware when dining in German-speaking regions.
Which of these phrases have you heard before? Do you use any in your own language? Let us know in the comments! 🚀🍽️
On my German language blog, you'll find several related posts, such as how to order a meal in German, popular German dishes, and how to say good morning, afternoon or evening in German.
