How to Say 'Enjoy Your Meal' and 'Could You Pass the Salt?' in French
Learn essential French phrases for dining, including polite requests and table comments, with pronunciation and usage tips.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When dining in a French-speaking setting, knowing how to make polite requests and offer friendly comments at the table is essential. This lesson teaches you beginner-level phrases such as 'Enjoy your meal' and 'Could you pass the salt?' so you can participate comfortably in meals. You'll learn standard French expressions, their pronunciation, and when to use them. We'll focus on polite forms and common table interactions, avoiding hosting or guest scenarios.
By the end, you can…
- say 'Enjoy your meal' and respond appropriately in French.
- politely ask someone to pass a dish or item at the table.
- make simple comments about the food and request additional items.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Bon appétit !
Enjoy your meal!
bohn ah-pay-TEE
Used before starting a meal or when someone begins eating. Common in both formal and informal settings.
Pouvez-vous me passer le sel, s'il vous plaît ?
Could you pass me the salt, please?
poo-vay VOO muh pah-SAY luh sel, seel voo PLEH
Polite request using 'vous' form. For informal situations, use 'Peux-tu me passer le sel, s'il te plaît ?'
C'est délicieux !
It's delicious!
seh day-lee-SYUH
A compliment about the food. Can be used for any dish.
Je peux avoir un peu plus de pain, s'il vous plaît ?
Can I have a little more bread, please?
zhuh puh ah-VWAHR uhn puh ploo duh pan, seel voo PLEH
Polite way to ask for more of something. Replace 'pain' with other items like 'eau' (water) or 'vin' (wine).
Non merci, j'en ai assez.
No thank you, I've had enough.
nohn mehr-SEE, zhahn ay ah-SAY
Polite refusal when offered more food. 'J'en ai assez' means 'I have enough'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To make polite requests at the table, use 'Pouvez-vous me passer...' (Can you pass me...) followed by the item and 's'il vous plaît'. For example: 'Pouvez-vous me passer le pain, s'il vous plaît ?' (Can you pass me the bread, please?). In informal settings, switch to 'Peux-tu me passer...' with 's'il te plaît'. This pattern works for any object: 'le sel' (salt), 'le poivre' (pepper), 'l'eau' (water).
When to use it
Use 'Bon appétit' when you are about to eat with others, whether at home or in a restaurant. It's appropriate in both formal and casual contexts. For requests, always use 's'il vous plaît' with people you don't know well or to show respect. With friends or family, 's'il te plaît' is fine. When complimenting food, 'C'est délicieux' is safe and enthusiastic. If you want to refuse more food, 'Non merci, j'en ai assez' is polite and clear.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bon appétit !
Enjoy your meal!bohn ah-pay-TEEMerci, à toi aussi.
Thank you, you too.mehr-SEE, ah twah oh-SEEPouvez-vous me passer le sel, s'il vous plaît ?
Could you pass me the salt, please?poo-vay VOO muh pah-SAY luh sel, seel voo PLEHVoilà. C'est délicieux, n'est-ce pas ?
Here you go. It's delicious, isn't it?vwah-LAH. seh day-lee-SYUH, ness pahA little context goes a long way
In French-speaking cultures, politeness at the table is highly valued. Always use 's'il vous plaît' and 'merci' when making requests or receiving items. 'Bon appétit' is customary before eating, but it's not used when drinking alone. In Quebec, 'Bon appétit' is also common, and the informal variant 'Bonne appétit' may be heard, though 'Bon appétit' remains standard.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Je veux' (I want) to ask for something, as in 'Je veux le sel'.
Try this instead: This sounds abrupt and rude. Instead, use 'Je voudrais' (I would like) or 'Pouvez-vous me passer...' For example: 'Je voudrais du sel, s'il vous plaît' or 'Pouvez-vous me passer le sel, s'il vous plaît ?'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'Enjoy your meal' in French?
Show a sample answer
Bon appétit !
This is the standard expression used before eating. It's appropriate in all contexts.
2Translate: 'Could you pass me the water, please?' (using polite 'vous' form)
Show a sample answer
Pouvez-vous me passer l'eau, s'il vous plaît ?
This uses the polite request pattern. 'L'eau' means 'the water'. You could also say 'Pouvez-vous me passer de l'eau' but 'l'eau' is more common when the water is already on the table.
3What would you say if you want to compliment the food?
Show a sample answer
C'est délicieux !
This means 'It's delicious!' and is a simple, effective compliment. You could also say 'C'est très bon' (It's very good).
Use 'Bon appétit' to wish others a good meal, and 'Pouvez-vous me passer... s'il vous plaît ?' for polite requests. Compliment with 'C'est délicieux !' and refuse politely with 'Non merci, j'en ai assez.'
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