Guten Appetit!
[GOO-ten ah-pe-TEET]
Enjoy your meal!
Literal gloss:“Good appetite (accusative)!”
When to use:Safe across both Sie and du settings because no personal pronoun restricts it.
Word-by-Word Structure
| German | Meaning | Grammar Note |
|---|---|---|
| Guten | good (acc. m.) | — |
| Appetit | appetite (der Appetit) | — |
Across Germany, Austria & Switzerland (DACH)
Germany (DE)
Guten Appetit! / Mahlzeit!
Austria (AT)
Mahlzeit! / Guten Appetit!
Switzerland (CH)
En Guete!
Swiss speakers almost universally say "En Guete!", while Austrian and German offices love "Mahlzeit!" around lunchtime.
Example Sentences in Context
Around the dinner table
Das Essen sieht toll aus — guten Appetit!
The food looks great — enjoy your meal!
Colleagues passing in an office hallway at noon
Mahlzeit!
Enjoy your lunch!
Common Replies You Will Hear
- Danke, gleichfalls!Neutral
Thanks, you too!