Quick answer
Buen provecho is the Spanish way to wish someone Enjoy your meal. You will hear it in homes, restaurants, cafeterias, and even from strangers walking past your table. Think of it like Bon appétit in English speaking contexts.
Pronunciation guide: bwen proh VEH cho
For more everyday social phrases, see Basic greetings and phrases.
Literal meaning
provechobenefit means benefit or advantage. You are wishing that the meal be to their benefit. It connects to the verb aprovecharto make the most of which means to take advantage of or make the most of.
If you’re learning -ar verbs like aprovechar, review the Present tense — regular -ar verbs.
When do you say it?
Use buen provecho in these moments:
- As people begin eating at your table
- When you pass someone who is eating, in a cafeteria or office break room
- When you leave a table and others are still eating
- When a server brings food and steps away, especially in Latin America
Common replies:
- Gracias
- Igualmente
- Gracias, buen provecho
Build your mealtime vocabulary with Food and meals.
Mini dialog
A: Buen provecho
B: Gracias, igualmente
Regional variations
- Spain: You will hear Que aproveche and also Buen provecho
- Mexico and Central America: Provecho is super common and Provechito is a cute diminutive
- Southern Cone Argentina, Chile, Uruguay: Buen provecho is widespread
- Caribbean: Buen provecho is understood and used
Curious about tone and politeness shifts? Explore Formal vs informal registers.
Politeness tip
If you pass a shared lunch area and people are eating, a quick Provecho with a smile is a small courtesy that feels very natural across Spanish speaking countries.
Common mistakes to avoid
Drag the handle to compare
Why: Buen modifies a masculine noun, provecho is masculine, so use buen not buena. Quick refresh: Noun gender and articles: el/la, un/una.
Drag the handle to compare
Also avoid over translating Bon appétit as Buen apetito. People understand it, but Buen provecho or Que aproveche sound more native. For more food-based expressions, check out Idiomatic expressions with food.
Bonus phrases you can use
Note: In “Que disfruten la comida,” disfruten is the present subjunctive. Brush up with The present subjunctive: formation.
- Que aproveche
- Que disfruten la comida, to a group
- Provecho, short and friendly
- Provechito, very casual in Mexico
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence:
Quick meaning check
What does 'buen provecho' most closely mean?
Why this phrase matters
Food is social in Spanish speaking cultures. A simple Buen provecho shows awareness and respect for that shared moment. It costs nothing and earns smiles. Hear it in context with our Spanish stories.
Wrap up
- Meaning: Enjoy your meal
- Best times: when others start eating or when you walk past people who are eating
- Replies: Gracias or Igualmente
- Regional swap: Que aproveche in Spain and Provecho in much of Latin America
Say it with a friendly tone and you will fit right in.