Any viable alternatives for “have a good appetite”?

"Good appetite" isn't a thing in English. It isn't said, ever. But, you can say "bon appetit." Everyone understands that. Just don't say it in English.

No one ever says “have a good appetite,” so you can put that away forever. Enjoy is pretty common. But it’s also pretty common not to say anything at all.

There isn’t really an equivalent phrase because it’s not really a traditionally Anglo custom to say anything like that to start meals, at least in modern times. It would be much more idiosyncratic to the particular group of people who have gathered.

I once saw a cartoon that showed 4 families from 4 different countries sitting down to dinner and looking at their food as they are about to start eating. The captions below each picture said: - France: Bon appétit! - Germany: Guten Appetit! - Italy: Buon appetito! - UK: Oh dear!

“Eat hearty” sounds quite folksy and quaint, but it’s at least valid. For elegant cuisine, you can use the French *Bon appétit*. In general, I would suggest “enjoy your meal” as a passable option, although depending on context, you might be better off just not saying anything in particular..

Bon appetit is the phrase.

As others have said, “bon appetit” is actually common, although French. However, it is only used right at the first bite, or at the beginning of a meal. A typical scene, in a restaurant: The head chef comes out of the kitchen to greet the largest party, one minute after they were all served their entrees, and he asks, “Hello! How is everything? Good?” and [schmoozes](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schmoozes) them for a couple minutes, then says, “Bon appetit!” as his parting words, on his way back to the kitchen. In spirit, it’s a formal way of saying, “I’m gonna let you eat.” More casual idioms include: “dig in!” “eat up!” “chow down!” and [if you’re eating too] “let’s eat!” Also, here’s a conversation I’m a part of several times every day at work. The phrasing varies, but it always boils down to: > “Hey, I’m about to take lunch.” > “Enjoy.” “Enjoy” is the most natural English (not French, lol) answer to your question, in my opinion. “Enjoy your lunch” works fine for some people, too. “Enjoy your meal” is much too formal, though; it’s what a waiter would say. And “enjoy that” always sounds sarcastic.

If someone said “have a good appetite” to me it would sound very odd, a lot of people in the UK would be more likely to say “bon appetit” as other commenters have said.

Just say, “enjoy!”. Watch an episode of kitchen nightmares with Gordom Ramsey and you’ll learn a lot of phrases that have to do with kitchens. In english, an appetite is a hunger or taste you have for some food/ something. I would try to learn more slang, it will be important on your path to becoming fluent.

Bon apetite. We like, we steal and we say. And in a CRAPPY accent. Now if one of your languages is French, use the correct pronunciation.

Enjoy, Dig in, let’s eat, nom (if you’re you want to be cutesy)

I agree with others, that the only options in English are: * Enjoy your meal! * Enjoy! * Bon appetit! (loan from French) Some people, attempting to be quite clever, will say "Bone apple tea!", which is an intentional corruption of the French "Bon appetit!". Only say this if you wish to sound incredibly corny. "Have a good appetite" is completely unheard and bizarre.

Can I ask you what school taught you to say “have a good appetite” to people when speaking English?

Bon appétit is so commonly understood in English that there's a whole meme ("bone apple teeth") about how difficult it is to spell.

Can you give an example on when you would use this? Are you thinking of “dig in”?

Is your native language Japanese?

bone apple tea 👌

Don't say "have a good appetite" - that is not an expression. Things you can say - "enjoy!" - "enjoy your meal"

If by some chance you are looking for a good translation of "itadakimasu," (or similar,) it doesn't exist. English-speaking countries don't have the tradition of saying a single word or short phrase right before eating. If you absolutely insist on something, "bon appetit," (bon ah-pah-tee) is probably the least weird choice. Or whatever you say in your native language, if you don't mind having to explain yourself. I understand that it might feel weird to do *nothing*, but that itself is considered being polite in English. Culturally, English-speaking countries are historically Christian. This means a lot of English-natives were raised with the tradition of praying before they eat. Each person at the family table will join hands with the person next to them, close their eyes, and pray - sometimes silently on their own, and sometimes one person does it out loud on behalf of everyone. This is often referred to as "saying grace," and it's not uncommon for the parents of the family to insist that no one can eat until everyone says grace.... which led to some impatient, sarcastic souls simply shouting, "Grace!" before a meal. That sarcasm has grown common enough that sometimes, among specific families or social circles, that it's okay to just join hands, literally say "grace," and consider that the prayer for the day. So, you might see that happen, sometimes. The problem there is, you can't count on it. People from more traditionally religious upbringings will see the "just shout grace" method as *highly offensive*. Like, "you are mocking my religion" offensive, especially if you're not Christian yourself. (I don't know: maybe you are. Not important right now.) It's sort of an, "in well-known company" thing - with close friends or your own family. But at the same time, you can't force everyone around you to engage in your religious ritual, can you? Especially not in a "secular" setting, like a business lunch. So, the polite thing to do is simply allow each person to engage in their own ritual, to their own satisfaction. Like, maybe your ritual is to just say whatever your meal-related courtesy is and be done with it.

many have already pointed out that "have a good appetite" is not said, but in regards to your other choices: happy eating: no one says this chow down: a real phrase, but very informal, kind of odd to say to someone. eat hearty: real phrase, but wrong context. to "eat hearty food" is too eat food that fills you up and makes you feel good. usually big, warm meals. savour your food: yes, often an instruction to a child. it implies they should eat slower. enjoy your meal: definitely acceptable. bon appétit: french, but quite common to say in english anyway.

In the UK for definite saying "bon appetit" will come across as very sarcastic if you are serving something like a slice of cake imo but then I am from the North. "Tuck in" would be apt at home and I mostly expect a sprightly "enjoy!" in a restaurant or café.

"eat up" is a casual phrase. i can't think of a single word, though, aside from "enjoy," which is vague.

If you want to say something slightly humorous in a casual setting; " 2, 4, 6, 8 ........ dig in , don't wait!"

Tuck in! Is something you hear sometimes in British English

This not being a thing is what I love about english. I always found awkward to sit down in front of people and basically wish them well for the eating that is going to take place seconds later (if it's not alreadys started).

Usually people don't use an expression indicating to start eating like in other countries. In a restaurant, a waiter might say "bon Appetit" or "enjoy" when they've given you your food. Otherwise, it would be slightly strange to say it if you're the one eating.

This post taught me to not listen to what they teach you in school

Wherever you got "have a good appetite" from was definitely originally an overtranslated "bon appetit".

If someone said "have a good appetite" to me I would have no idea what to do. That is NOT an English phrase that is actually used (at least not in the US!) so your school is making it up... Unless it's a British/Australian thing? "Enjoy your meal" is something that people do actually say.

English is so weird, because the first two phrases I thought of were “bon appetite” (french) and “mangia!” (Italian)

I think it's funny that your association with "eat hearty," is something a grandma would say; to me,it sounds like something a pirate would say. "Savor your food," isn't used like this.

> not four, with one being a-ppe-ti-te I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet, but "appetite" is 3 syllables, pronounced "A-puh-tite." The way you have it written out makes it look like 4 syllables.

i think the issue is that in general english speakers don’t tend to issue this instruction per se. the closest common phrase i can think of is simply “enjoy!”. but again, the issue is that there isn’t a direct translation because it’s a culturally specific thing to say. if you’re amongst english speakers, the idea of directing another’s appetite is itself generally not done. “dig in” (less formal) or “enjoy” are common enough phrases at the start of a meal, but there’s less expectation of saying anything at that point, outside of food service.

bon appetit

You’ve got lots of people telling you we borrowed French “bon appétit” which is true, but I just wanna add a note about pronunciation. In French, that final T is silent, but when people say it in American English they usually pronounce the T, as though it were spelled “bon appétitte”

If they were in the middle of eating I wouldn’t say anything - a quick smile is enough. If we were already in a conversation and they started eating in front of me, I might say “have a good lunch” before walking away

Have a nice meal! :)

Others have given you the correct answer: "bon appétit" or "enjoy your meal." Informally, you can also say, "dig in." However, there is a more correct answer: we do not share the same cultural practice. I'm assuming you come from a linguistic and cultural background where it is common to say something like "приятного аппетита!" or "smacznego!"or "guten apetit!" at the beginning of a meal. We rarely if ever do that in English speaking countries. Some people say it's because discussing any bodily function, including appetite, fell out of fashion during the Victorian period. They thought it was vulgar in the 19th century to have an appetite. I can't confirm that's true. Other people say it's because it could be taken as an insult to the host and cook. "Bon appétit," like "bon courage" or "bon chance," could have once been seen as wishing someone the ability to finish bland, bad or unsafe food. I doubt this is true, but it is possible, and in the 19th century, unsafe food was very common. Whatever the reason, it's not a current cultural practice for us. I was taught it is good manners to wait for the host to begin eating before I touch my knife, fork or spoon. When they begin eating, that is your invitation to eat. Most people do not follow this rule. Once you begin eating, it is good manners to compliment the host on the food and point out particular dishes you enjoyed. Most people do follow this rule, and I believe it is shared across most cultures. My recommendation to people who come from other cultures is to just use your own word or phrase to start a meal. Most of us English speakers will find it charming, and it can start a conversation.

enjoy!

honestly none of those sound normal or are anything I have ever heard anyone say. Most people say "Enjoy" or nothing really. Some people say "bon appetit", if you're a weeb you might say "itadakemasu" before you eat, borrowed from japanese

I don’t even know what have a good appetite means to be honest! I’ve literally never heard it and I wouldn’t understand the intention if someone said it to me. I have heard it as a descriptor! Like talking about someone else “Mary has a good appetite” meaning Mary can eat a decent amount of food. Enjoy your meal would be the most standard. Or bon appetite. Or just “enjoy”. Generally though I don’t comment on other people eating. I think it’s best that way.

Just “enjoy” is often used, as is “bon appetit,”

Our closest phrase is borrowed from French; we say "bon appetit" before eating. But it depends on the context. For yourself, you could say "I could eat a horse" meaning you're very hungry.

No one says have a good appetite. You'll hear enjoy your meal or bon appetite .

"Have a good appetite" doesn't sound good to me. "Enjoy your meal" or simply "Enjoy" are both good. Borrowing "Bon appetit" from French is very common

I think just “Enjoy!” is common enough. Bon appetit is relatively common as a borrowed French phrase. 

Have a good meal makes the most sense, I feel. All the others are much more specific. "Eat well" also might be good? By the way, "have a good appetite" is something I have never heard of. So I don't know what it would mean.

I just say "Enjoy". The "your meal" in "Enjoy your meal" is assumed, because "Enjoy" is said while at the table, and just about to start serving or eating.

Your descriptions next to the options don’t make sense to me. In no way is “happy eating” childish, nor is “chow down” rude?? Enjoy your meal is the most common, bon appetit is another one you can use. Something like a third of English is borrowed from French. Enjoy is a one word alternative. Dig in could be a quick one too. Most of these are used by people serving food and not someone enjoying the meal with you.