Appetizer in Different Languages: How to Say Appetizer

Food is one of the easiest ways to connect with people, and the word “appetizer” is useful when talking about menus, restaurants, meals, and food traditions around the world. If you are learning languages, traveling, creating international food content, or simply curious about culinary vocabulary, knowing how to say appetizer in different languages can be surprisingly useful.

In this guide, you will discover appetizer in different languages across 70 languages. Each entry includes the native translation, an easy English pronunciation, and a short example sentence with its English meaning.

Appetizer in Different Languages

The exact word for appetizer can vary depending on the language and food culture. Some languages use a direct equivalent of “appetizer,” while others use a word closer to starter, hors d’oeuvre, or small dish served before the main course.

#	Language	Native phrase	Easy English pronunciation	Example sentence	English meaning
1	Spanish	aperitivo	ah-peh-ree-TEE-voh	Pedimos un aperitivo antes de la cena.	We ordered an appetizer before dinner.
2	French	apéritif	ah-pay-ree-TEEF	Nous avons pris un apéritif avant le dîner.	We had an appetizer before dinner.
3	German	Vorspeise	FOR-shpy-zeh	Die Vorspeise war sehr lecker.	The appetizer was very delicious.
4	Italian	antipasto	an-tee-PAH-stoh	Abbiamo ordinato un antipasto.	We ordered an appetizer.
5	Portuguese	aperitivo	ah-peh-ree-TEE-voh	O aperitivo estava delicioso.	The appetizer was delicious.
6	Dutch	voorgerecht	VOHR-kheh-rekht	Het voorgerecht was heerlijk.	The appetizer was delicious.
7	Swedish	förrätt	FUR-ret	Vi beställde en förrätt.	We ordered an appetizer.
8	Norwegian	forrett	FOHR-ret	Vi bestilte en forrett.	We ordered an appetizer.
9	Danish	forret	FOHR-et	Vi bestilte en forret.	We ordered an appetizer.
10	Finnish	alkuruoka	AL-koo-roo-oh-kah	Tilasimme alkuruoan.	We ordered an appetizer.
11	Icelandic	forréttur	FOR-ret-tur	Við pöntuðum forrétt.	We ordered an appetizer.
12	Irish	réamhbhia	RAYV-vee-ah	D’ordaíomar réamhbhia.	We ordered an appetizer.
13	Welsh	blasyn	BLAH-sin	Fe wnaethon ni archebu blasyn.	We ordered an appetizer.
14	Polish	przystawka	pshih-STAV-kah	Zamówiliśmy przystawkę.	We ordered an appetizer.
15	Czech	předkrm	PREHT-krm	Objednali jsme předkrm.	We ordered an appetizer.
16	Slovak	predjedlo	PREHD-yehd-loh	Objednali sme predjedlo.	We ordered an appetizer.
17	Slovenian	predjed	PREHD-yed	Naročili smo predjed.	We ordered an appetizer.
18	Croatian	predjelo	PREHD-yeh-loh	Naručili smo predjelo.	We ordered an appetizer.
19	Serbian	предјело	PREHD-yeh-loh	Наручили смо предјело.	We ordered an appetizer.
20	Bulgarian	предястие	preh-DYAS-tee-eh	Поръчахме предястие.	We ordered an appetizer.
21	Macedonian	предјадење	prehd-YAH-deh-nyeh	Нарачавме предјадење.	We ordered an appetizer.
22	Russian	закуска	zah-KOOS-kah	Мы заказали закуску.	We ordered an appetizer.
23	Ukrainian	закуска	zah-KOOS-kah	Ми замовили закуску.	We ordered an appetizer.
24	Belarusian	закуска	zah-KOOS-kah	Мы замовілі закуску.	We ordered an appetizer.
25	Lithuanian	užkandis	oozh-KAHN-dis	Užsisakėme užkandį.	We ordered a snack/appetizer.
26	Latvian	uzkoda	ooz-KOH-dah	Mēs pasūtījām uzkodu.	We ordered an appetizer.
27	Estonian	eelroog	AY-lohrog	Tellisime eelroa.	We ordered an appetizer.
28	Hungarian	előétel	EH-loh-ay-tel	Rendeltünk egy előételt.	We ordered an appetizer.
29	Romanian	aperitiv	ah-peh-ree-TEEV	Am comandat un aperitiv.	We ordered an appetizer.
30	Albanian	meze	MEH-zeh	Porositëm një meze.	We ordered an appetizer.
31	Greek	ορεκτικό	oh-rek-tee-KOH	Παραγγείλαμε ένα ορεκτικό.	We ordered an appetizer.
32	Turkish	meze	MEH-zeh	Bir meze sipariş ettik.	We ordered an appetizer.
33	Arabic	مقبلات	muq-ab-BI-laat	طلبنا مقبلات قبل العشاء.	We ordered appetizers before dinner.
34	Hebrew	מתאבן	meh-tah-AH-ven	הזמנו מתאבן לפני הארוחה.	We ordered an appetizer before the meal.
35	Persian	پیش‌غذا	pish-GHAH	پیش‌غذا سفارش دادیم.	We ordered an appetizer.
36	Hindi	क्षुधावर्धक	kshoo-dhaa-VAR-dhak	हमने क्षुधावर्धक मंगवाया।	We ordered an appetizer.
37	Urdu	اشتہا انگیز غذا	ishtih-AH angez ghiza	ہم نے اشتہا انگیز غذا منگوائی۔	We ordered an appetizer.
38	Bengali	ক্ষুধাবর্ধক	khoo-dha-bor-DHOK	আমরা ক্ষুধাবর্ধক অর্ডার করেছি।	We ordered an appetizer.
39	Punjabi	ਭੁੱਖ ਵਧਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਭੋਜਨ	bhukk vadhaa-un vaalaa bho-jan	ਅਸੀਂ ਭੁੱਖ ਵਧਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਭੋਜਨ ਮੰਗਵਾਇਆ।	We ordered an appetizer.
40	Gujarati	ભૂખ વધારનાર વાનગી	bhookh vadhaar-naar vaan-gee	અમે ભૂખ વધારનાર વાનગી મંગાવી.	We ordered an appetizer.
41	Marathi	भूक वाढवणारा पदार्थ	bhook vaadh-vuh-naa-raa pad-aarth	आम्ही भूक वाढवणारा पदार्थ मागवला.	We ordered an appetizer.
42	Tamil	பசியூட்டும் உணவு	pa-si-YOOT-tum oo-na-voo	நாங்கள் பசியூட்டும் உணவை ஆர்டர் செய்தோம்.	We ordered an appetizer.
43	Telugu	ఆకలి పుట్టించే వంటకం	AA-ka-li put-tin-cheh van-ta-kam	మేము ఆకలి పుట్టించే వంటకం ఆర్డర్ చేశాము.	We ordered an appetizer.
44	Kannada	ಹಸಿವನ್ನು ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸುವ ತಿಂಡಿ	ha-si-van-nu hech-chi-su-va tin-di	ನಾವು ಹಸಿವನ್ನು ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸುವ ತಿಂಡಿ ಆರ್ಡರ್ ಮಾಡಿದೆವು.	We ordered an appetizer.
45	Malayalam	വിശപ്പുണ്ടാക്കുന്ന വിഭവം	vi-shap-pun-DAA-kku-nna vi-bha-vam	ഞങ്ങൾ ഒരു വിശപ്പുണ്ടാക്കുന്ന വിഭവം ഓർഡർ ചെയ്തു.	We ordered an appetizer.
46	Nepali	भोक जगाउने परिकार	bhok ja-GAA-uneh pa-ri-KAAR	हामीले भोक जगाउने परिकार मगायौं।	We ordered an appetizer.
47	Sinhala	ආහාර රුචිය වඩවන ආහාරය	aa-haar roo-chi-ya vad-va-na aa-haa-ra-ya	අපි ආහාර රුචිය වඩවන ආහාරයක් ඇණවුම් කළා.	We ordered an appetizer.
48	Chinese	开胃菜	kāi wèi cài	我们点了开胃菜。	We ordered an appetizer.
49	Japanese	前菜	zensai	前菜を注文しました。	We ordered an appetizer.
50	Korean	애피타이저	ae-pi-ta-i-jeo	애피타이저를 주문했어요.	We ordered an appetizer.
51	Vietnamese	món khai vị	mon khai vee	Chúng tôi gọi món khai vị.	We ordered an appetizer.
52	Thai	อาหารเรียกน้ำย่อย	aa-hăan rîak náam-yôi	เราสั่งอาหารเรียกน้ำย่อย	We ordered an appetizer.
53	Indonesian	hidangan pembuka	hee-DAH-ngan pem-BOO-kah	Kami memesan hidangan pembuka.	We ordered an appetizer.
54	Malay	pembuka selera	pem-BOO-kah seh-LEH-rah	Kami memesan pembuka selera.	We ordered an appetizer.
55	Filipino	pampagana	pam-pa-GA-na	Umorder kami ng pampagana.	We ordered an appetizer.
56	Burmese	အမြည်း	uh-MYEE	ကျွန်တော်တို့ အမြည်းမှာခဲ့တယ်။	We ordered an appetizer.
57	Khmer	ម្ហូបកំដរមាត់	mo-houp kom-dor moat	យើងបានកុម្ម៉ង់ម្ហូបកំដរមាត់។	We ordered an appetizer.
58	Mongolian	зууш	zoosh	Бид зууш захиалсан.	We ordered an appetizer.
59	Kazakh	тіскебасар	tees-keh-bah-SAR	Біз тіскебасарға тапсырыс бердік.	We ordered an appetizer.
60	Uzbek	ishtaha ochadigan taom	ish-TA-ha o-cha-di-GAN ta-OM	Biz ishtaha ochadigan taom buyurtma qildik.	We ordered an appetizer.
61	Azerbaijani	qəlyanaltı	gah-lyan-al-TUH	Biz qəlyanaltı sifariş etdik.	We ordered an appetizer.
62	Georgian	აპეტაიზერი	ah-peh-tai-ZEH-ree	ჩვენ აპეტაიზერი შევუკვეთეთ.	We ordered an appetizer.
63	Armenian	նախուտեստ	na-khoo-TEST	Մենք նախուտեստ պատվիրեցինք։	We ordered an appetizer.
64	Swahili	kitafunwa	kee-ta-FOON-wah	Tuliagiza kitafunwa.	We ordered an appetizer.
65	Zulu	isidlo sokuqala	ee-SEE-dloh soo-QA-la	Sa-oda isidlo sokuqala.	We ordered an appetizer.
66	Afrikaans	voorgereg	FOHR-kheh-rekh	Ons het ‘n voorgereg bestel.	We ordered an appetizer.
67	Malagasy	sakafo fanombohana	sah-KA-foo fah-noom-boh-HAH-nah	Nanafatra sakafo fanombohana izahay.	We ordered an appetizer.
68	Esperanto	aperitivo	ah-peh-ree-TEE-voh	Ni mendis aperitivon.	We ordered an appetizer.
69	Latin	gustatio	goos-TAH-tee-oh	Gustationem ante cenam iussimus.	We ordered an appetizer before dinner.
70	Haitian Creole	antre	ahn-TRAY	Nou kòmande yon antre.	We ordered an appetizer.

How to Say Appetizer in Different Languages

If you are wondering how to say appetizer in different languages, the most useful translations are often the terms used on actual restaurant menus.

For example, antipasto is commonly associated with Italian cuisine, meze is widely used in Turkish and other Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food traditions, while hors d’oeuvre is a familiar French culinary term in English-speaking contexts.

It is important to remember that a literal translation may not always describe exactly the same type of food. Culinary vocabulary is closely connected with local dining traditions.

Appetizer Translations Around the World

The concept of an appetizer exists in many food cultures, but the way it is served differs greatly.

In European languages, words such as Vorspeise, predjedlo, przystawka, and antipasto generally refer to food served before the main course. In Asian languages, the terminology can emphasize dishes that stimulate appetite or are served as an opening course.

In Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and neighboring culinary traditions, small shared dishes can have an especially important role at the beginning of a meal. The word meze, for example, can refer to a variety of small savory dishes rather than one specific appetizer.

Appetizer in All Languages: What Does It Mean?

An appetizer is generally a small portion of food served before the main course. Its purpose is often to stimulate the appetite and introduce diners to the flavors of a meal.

Common appetizers include:

• Soups
• Salads
• Spring rolls
• Stuffed vegetables
• Small sandwiches
• Cheese plates
• Fried snacks
• Dips
• Bruschetta
• Small seafood dishes

The exact definition changes from one cuisine to another, so appetizer in all languages does not always have a perfect one-word equivalent.

Appetizer vs. Starter vs. Hors d’Oeuvre

These terms are closely related but can have slightly different uses.

Appetizer is especially common in American English and usually means a small dish served before the main meal.

Starter is very common in British English and refers to the first course of a meal.

Hors d’oeuvre traditionally refers to a small savory dish served before or outside the main courses and is often associated with formal or French-influenced dining.

Depending on the country, restaurants may use these words differently.

Why Learn Food Words in Different Languages?

Learning food vocabulary can make international travel easier and more enjoyable. It can help you understand restaurant menus, communicate dietary preferences, order meals, and appreciate local culinary traditions.

Food words are also useful for language learners because they appear frequently in everyday conversations.

If you are studying a particular language, learning words for appetizer, main course, dessert, drink, menu, restaurant, and bill can give you a practical foundation for dining conversations.

Tips for Using the Word Appetizer Correctly

When speaking another language, avoid assuming that every small dish is called an appetizer. Some cultures classify foods according to when they are served, while others classify them according to their ingredients or purpose.

A useful approach is to learn the word that local restaurants actually use. This helps you sound more natural and makes it easier to recognize menu descriptions.

Also remember that pronunciation can vary by region. The pronunciation guides in the table are simplified English-friendly approximations intended to make the words easier to read.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the word for appetizer in different languages?

The word varies by language. Examples include antipasto in Italian, Vorspeise in German, przystawka in Polish, 开胃菜 in Chinese, 前菜 in Japanese, and meze in Turkish.

2. How do you say appetizer in Spanish?

In Spanish, appetizer can be translated as aperitivo. The word is commonly associated with a small food or drink served before a meal, depending on context.

3. How do you say appetizer in French?

In French, apéritif is commonly used for something served before a meal, although French culinary terminology also includes other terms depending on the specific type of starter or small dish.

4. What is appetizer called in Italian?

In Italian, antipasto is the common culinary term for a starter or appetizer served before the main courses. It can include items such as cured meats, cheeses, vegetables, and other small preparations.

5. What is the difference between an appetizer and a starter?

They generally refer to a similar part of a meal, but usage depends on regional English. Appetizer is especially common in American English, while starter is particularly common in British English and many international restaurant settings.

Conclusion

Learning appetizer in different languages gives you more than a list of translations. It provides a small glimpse into how different cultures approach food and dining. From Italian antipasto and Turkish meze to Japanese zensai and Chinese kāi wèi cài, each term reflects a different culinary tradition.

Whether you are traveling, studying languages, exploring international cuisine, or looking for appetizer translations around the world, these 70 examples provide a practical starting point for understanding this useful food-related word.