If you’ve ever traveled, explored international menus, or tried global cuisines, you’ve likely wondered how to say “appetizer” in different languages. Knowing these translations not only helps you order food confidently but also deepens your cultural understanding.
In this guide, you’ll discover how to say appetizer in different languages, along with pronunciation and real life examples to make learning practical and memorable.
Whether you’re a foodie, traveler, or language enthusiast, this list covers appetizer translations from across the globe in one easy, mobile-friendly table.
Appetizer in All Languages
| Language | Pronunciation | Example |
| English | ap-i-tai-zer | We ordered an appetizer before dinner. (We ordered a starter before the main meal.) |
| Spanish | en-tra-da | Pedimos una entrada antes de la cena. (We ordered an appetizer before dinner.) |
| French | or-derv | Nous avons commandé un hors-d’œuvre. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| German | for-shpai-ze | Wir bestellten eine Vorspeise. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Italian | an-ti-pas-to | Abbiamo preso un antipasto. (We had an appetizer.) |
| Portuguese | en-tra-da | Pedimos uma entrada. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Dutch | for-khe-rekht | We bestelden een voorgerecht. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Russian | za-kus-ka | Мы заказали закуску. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | chyan tsai | 我们点了前菜。 (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Japanese | zen-sai | 前菜を注文しました。 (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Korean | ae-pi-tai-jeo | 우리는 애피타이저를 주문했다. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Arabic | mu-qab-bi-lat | طلبنا مقبلات. (We ordered appetizers.) |
| Hindi | staartar | हमने स्टार्टर ऑर्डर किया। (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Urdu | staartar | ہم نے سٹارٹر منگوایا۔ (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Turkish | me-ze | Meze sipariş ettik. (We ordered appetizers.) |
| Greek | ore-ktee-ko | Παραγγείλαμε ορεκτικό. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Polish | przis-tav-ka | Zamówiliśmy przystawkę. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Swedish | for-ret | Vi beställde en förrätt. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Danish | for-ret | Vi bestilte en forret. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Norwegian | for-ret | Vi bestilte en forrett. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Finnish | al-ku-ruo-ka | Tilasimme alkuruoan. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Czech | pred-krm | Objednali jsme předkrm. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Hungarian | elo-e-tel | Előételt rendeltünk. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Romanian | gus-ta-re | Am comandat o gustare. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Bulgarian | pre-dia-stie | Поръчахме предястие. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Croatian | pred-je-lo | Naručili smo predjelo. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Serbian | pred-je-lo | Naručili smo predjelo. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Slovak | pred-krm | Objednali sme predkrm. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Slovenian | pred-jed | Naročili smo predjed. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Ukrainian | za-kus-ka | Ми замовили закуску. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Hebrew | mitkha-lim | הזמנו מתאבנים. (We ordered appetizers.) |
| Thai | a-han-rian | เราสั่งอาหารเรียกน้ำย่อย (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Vietnamese | mon-khai-vi | Chúng tôi gọi món khai vị. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Indonesian | hi-dang-an | Kami memesan hidangan pembuka. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Malay | hi-dang-an | Kami memesan hidangan pembuka. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Filipino | ap-pi-tay-ser | Umorder kami ng appetizer. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Swahili | ki-waan-za | Tuliagiza kianzio. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Zulu | isi-qal-o | Si-ode isiQalo. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Afrikaans | voor-gereg | Ons het ’n voorgereg bestel. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Persian | pish-gha-za | ما پیشغذا سفارش دادیم. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Bengali | staartar | আমরা স্টার্টার অর্ডার করেছি। (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Tamil | aar-am-bam unavu | நாங்கள் ஆரம்ப உணவு கேட்டோம். (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Telugu | modati vantakam | మేము మొదటి వంటకం ఆర్డర్ చేశాము. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Marathi | staartar | आम्ही स्टार्टर मागवले. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Gujarati | staartar | અમે સ્ટાર્ટર મંગાવ્યું. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Punjabi | staartar | ਅਸੀਂ ਸਟਾਰਟਰ ਮੰਗਵਾਇਆ। (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Nepali | suru-kha-ja | हामीले सुरु खाजा मगायौं। (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Sinhala | mu-li-pi-li | අපි මුලපිළි ඇණවුම් කළා. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Khmer | mhob-pheum | យើងបានបញ្ជាម្ហូបផ្ដើម។ (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Lao | ahaan-naam | ພວກເຮົາສັ່ງອາຫານເບື້ອງຕົ້ນ. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Burmese | a-sar-thar | ကျွန်တော်တို့ အစားအစာ စတင် မှာယူခဲ့သည်။ (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Mongolian | e-khel-bel | Бид эхлэл хоол захиалсан. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Icelandic | for-ret-tur | Við pöntuðum forrétt. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Irish | tos-ach | D’ordaíomar tosach. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Welsh | cych-wyn-iad | Fe wnaethom archebu cychwyniad. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Estonian | eel-roog | Tellisime eelroa. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Latvian | uz-ko-da | Mēs pasūtījām uzkodu. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Lithuanian | uz-kan-dis | Užsakėme užkandį. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Albanian | para-gje-ll | Porositëm një paragjellë. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Macedonian | pred-ja-de-nie | Нарачавме предјадење. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Bosnian | pred-je-lo | Naručili smo predjelo. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Georgian | tsa-moa-qo | ჩვენ შევუკვეთეთ წასამოყო. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Armenian | na-kha-chash | Մենք նախաճաշ պատվիրեցինք։ (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Azerbaijani | ba-shlan-gi-ch | Başlanğıc sifariş etdik. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Kazakh | al-gy tamak | Біз алғы тамаққа тапсырыс бердік. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Uzbek | bosh-lan-gich | Biz boshlang‘ich buyurtma berdik. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Amharic | me-je-me-ri-ya | መጀመሪያ እንግዲኛ አዘዘን። (We ordered an appetizer.) |
| Haitian Creole | an-tre | Nou te kòmande antre. (We ordered an appetizer.) |
How to Say Appetizer in Different Languages
The word “appetizer” often translates to something like “starter,” “first dish,” or “small plate” depending on the culture. For example:
- European languages often use words meaning “before the meal”
- Asian languages may refer to “first dish” or “opening food”
- Middle Eastern cultures commonly use terms similar to “mezze” or small shared plates
Understanding these variations helps you confidently navigate menus anywhere in the world.
Appetizer Around the World: Cultural Insights
Across cultures, appetizers serve the same purpose but differ in style:
- In Italy, antipasto includes cured meats and cheeses
- In Spain, entrada or tapas are often shared
- In the Middle East, mezze includes multiple small dishes
- In Asia, appetizers are often lighter and may include soups or dumplings
These differences reflect local food traditions while maintaining the universal idea of starting a meal.
Conclusion
Learning appetizer in different languages is more than just vocabulary it’s a gateway to global dining experiences. From Europe to Asia and beyond, knowing these translations helps you connect with cultures, order food with ease, and explore cuisines confidently.
FAQs
1. What is the most common word for appetizer worldwide?
The most common equivalents are “starter,” “entrée” (in some regions), and variations like antipasto or mezze depending on the culture.
2. How do you say appetizer in all languages?
There is no single universal word, but this guide covers 70 widely used translations across major languages.
3. Is appetizer the same as starter?
Yes, “appetizer” and “starter” are generally interchangeable and refer to the first course of a meal.
4. What is appetizer called in European languages?
Most European languages use terms meaning “before the meal,” such as hors d’œuvre (French) or Vorspeise (German).
5. Why are appetizers important in meals?
Appetizers prepare the palate, stimulate appetite, and introduce the dining experience.
David William is a language enthusiast, researcher, and content creator at Lingoveb. With a deep passion for words, meanings, and global communication, he focuses on making language simple, clear, and accessible for readers around the world.
