bon appétit

== English == === Alternative forms === bon appetit, (humorous) bone apple tea, (humorous) bone apple teeth === Etymology === Unadapted borrowing from French bon appétit (literally “good appetite”). === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˌbɒn apəˈtiː/ IPA(key): (General American) /ˌboʊn æpəˈti(t)/ Most American and British dictionaries prescribe French-like pronunciations like /ˌbɔː.næ.peɪˈtiː/, /ˌbɒn apɛˈtiː/ and /ˈbɔn ˌæpəˈti/, which, however, are not encountered in American speech, where the pronunciations /ˌboʊn æpəˈtit/ and /ˌboʊn æpəˈti/ predominate. Rhymes: -iː, -iːt Hyphenation: bon ap‧pé‧tit === Phrase === bon appétit Used to wish someone enjoyment of the meal they are about to eat. Synonym: enjoy your meal ==== Translations ==== === References === == French == === Etymology === Literally, “good appetite”. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /bɔ.n‿a.pe.ti/ Rhymes: -i === Phrase === bon appétit ! bon appétit, enjoy your meal Synonyms: bon ap' (informal shortening), bon app Coordinate term: bonne dégustation ==== Usage notes ==== Unlike equivalent phrases in an English-speaking context, bon appétit in French is a politeness formula used much more automatically, like please or thank you. As well as when serving a meal or sitting down to eat with others, it is also used when getting up from the table where others are still eating, or when greeting or departing from someone who is eating, or when saying goodbye to someone who is leaving in order to eat (e.g. leaving work at lunchtime).