Italians are well-known for savouring life and making the most of their days. This is likely why the term “enjoy” in Italian has numerous variations, each tailored to different moments or situations when someone wants to relish an experience. Let’s delve into the most common ways to express “enjoy” in Italian, exploring each term’s specific use.
Buona giornata
Buona giornata, though closely resembling buongiorno (good morning), differs significantly. Italians use buona giornata when meeting someone in the morning or no later than noon to wish them a pleasant day. In English, you can express a similar sentiment by saying “Enjoy your day!” or “Have a good day!“
This phrase is widely used in both formal and informal contexts. It is typically used when bidding farewell, not at the outset of a conversation. Using it at the beginning might convey a sense of disinterest in engaging in a conversation.
Buon proseguimento
Here we encounter an expression that lacks a direct equivalent in English. Proseguimento literally means continuation, and by adding buono/a in front, you obtain the literal translation “good continuation.” It’s a way to convey the wish that someone continues to enjoy or make the most of whatever they are currently engaged in, whether it be a trip, job, or meal. This phrase can be used as an alternative to buona giornata to wish someone well for the day.
Divertirsi
The verb, divertirsi, in Italian means to have fun and to enjoy (doing something). The imperative forms are as follows:
- Divertiti! = Enjoy! / Have fun! (second person singular, informal)
- Divertitevi! = Enjoy! / Have fun! (second person plural)
- Si diverta! = Enjoy! / Have fun! (second person singular, formal)
All of these expressions can be easily replaced by the following phrase…
Buon divertimento
Buon divertimento can be used as a replacement for divertiti / divertitevi / si diverta. It applies in formal and informal contexts, making it a very versatile expression. It literally translates to “good fun / enjoyment.”
Godere
Maybe you’ve come across this term as the primary translation for “enjoy” into Italian, and to some extent, it is. Godere is a versatile verb with various meanings, but predominantly, it relates to something one can enjoy, encompassing a broad spectrum. For example:
- Goditi la salute (Enjoy your health)
- Goditi la tua nuova casa (Enjoy your new house)
- Goditi la tua promozione (Enjoy your job promotion)
- Goditi il tuo regalo (Enjoy your gift)
As you can see, this verb can be used in its informal imperative form goditi to express what you want another person to enjoy based on the context. The other imperative forms are:
- Godetevi = second person plural
- Si goda = second person singular, formal
Goditi le tue ferie, Maria!
Enjoy your vacation, Maria!
Mi piace …
In Italian, when you have a liking for doing something, you can express it by saying: Mi piace. Mi piace can be translated in various ways, such as “I love,” “I enjoy,” “I adore,” or simply “I like.” The intonation of the voice helps convey the strength of that sentiment.
Mi piace andare in bici.
I enjoy riding my bike.
Buon appetito
This is arguably one of the most well-known phrases in Italian: Buon appetito. This expression is used whenever you’re about to eat with someone or see someone beginning to eat nearby. The closest equivalent in meaning is Enjoy your meal! or the imported French expression, Bon appetit!
Gradire
In this context, the verb gradire doesn’t always directly translate to “enjoy.” Instead, most of the time, it conveys a sense of liking or appreciating something more formally. For example, you could say: Gradisco viaggiare solo su treni ad alta velocità (I enjoy traveling only on high-speed trains).
Another common formal use of the verb gradire is in its conditional form: Gradirei un martini! (I would like a martini). However, it carries a more sophisticated tone, so it’s advisable to use it exclusively in formal contexts.
Provare gusto a …
This is another way to convey “enjoy” in Italian, but it’s a little more nuanced than the other expressions presented thus far. For example, if you were to say: Provo gusto a spaventare i piccioni (I enjoy scaring off the pigeons), you would be expressing that you take pleasure in doing said action, regardless of how right or wrong it may be.
This expression can be applied to various situations. However, it is used more for actions that deviate from the norm or aren’t widely appreciated. Consider it as a phrase that precedes something that, in most cases, isn’t considered polite or conventional. It often carries a negative connotation for Italians.
Conclusion
As you’ve observed, there are numerous ways to express “enjoy” in Italian, from frequently used verbs such as divertirsi and godersi to set expressions such as buon appetito. Now that you’re equipped, it’s time to give these expressions a try and see how your Italian friends respond!
Fabio Guarino is a Linguist and Language Specialist who operates as a Freelance Content Writer and SEO Marketer. He considers himself fortunate to be able to blend his passion for his native language, Italian, along with English and Spanish, with his career.
