Ways to say it
| Uzbek | Pronunciation | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yoqimli ishtaha! | yo-qim-LI ish-ta-HA | Bon appétit! | Before or during the meal. |
| Osh boʻlsin! | OSH boʻl-SIN | May it nourish you | Said to someone who has eaten, often in reply to thanks. |
| Oling, oling | o-LING, o-LING | Take some, take some | What a host says, repeatedly, to make you eat. |
| Dasturxonga marhamat | das-tur-xon-GA mar-ha-MAT | Please, come to the table | The invitation to sit down and eat. |
Capital letters mark the stressed syllable. Uzbek stress usually falls on the last syllable.
What it literally means
Pleasant appetite.
In a real exchange
- Host: Dasturxonga marhamat! Oling, oling.
Please come to the table! Help yourself. - You: Rahmat. Yoqimli ishtaha!
Thank you. Enjoy your meal! - You (later): Juda mazali boʻldi, rahmat!
It was delicious, thank you! - Host: Osh boʻlsin!
May it nourish you!
Good to know
- Dasturxon is the tablecloth and, by extension, the whole spread. Being invited to it is a real honour.
- Bread is broken by hand by the host, never placed face down, and never thrown away.
- An empty plate is refilled. To stop, leave a little and say Rahmat, toʻydim, “thanks, I'm full”.
Common mistakes
- Saying Osh boʻlsin before the meal. It comes after.