“Mahlzeit”
Enjoy your lunch / Hi (lunchtime greeting)
WorkplaceInformalA2
Literal Translation
Word for word: “Meal-time”
Pronunciation
/ˈmaːlˌtsaɪ̯t/
When to Use This Phrase
Around lunchtime, colleagues greet each other in hallways and canteens with 'Mahlzeit!', and the usual reply is simply 'Mahlzeit!' back, whether or not anyone is eating. It's mostly heard at work, and while it's very common, some people find it a bit old-fashioned.
Example Sentences
Mahlzeit! Gehst du auch in die Kantine?
Hi! Are you heading to the canteen too?
Mahlzeit! — Mahlzeit! Was gibt's denn heute?
Enjoy your lunch! — You too! What's on the menu today?
Word Breakdown
Related Phrases
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