500+ Appetizer in Different Languages 2026

Food is one of the easiest ways to connect with different cultures, and learning food vocabulary can make travel and communication much easier. If you are searching for appetizer in different languages, this guide gives you translations from around the world.

An appetizer is a small dish or serving usually eaten before the main course. Depending on the culture, the closest word may mean starter, hors d’oeuvre, or a small dish served at the beginning of a meal.

Below, you will find appetizer in all languages with the native phrase, an easy English pronunciation, a short real-life example, and the English meaning of that example.

Appetizer in Different Languages

Language	Correct Native Phrase	Easy English Pronunciation	Example Sentence	English Meaning
Afrikaans	voorgereg	FOOR-khuh-rekh	Ons bestel ‘n voorgereg.	We are ordering an appetizer.
Albanian	meze	MEH-zeh	Porositëm një meze.	We ordered an appetizer.
Arabic	مقبلات	muqabbilāt	طلبنا مقبلات.	We ordered appetizers.
Armenian	նախուտեստ	na-khoo-TEST	Մենք նախուտեստ պատվիրեցինք։	We ordered an appetizer.
Azerbaijani	qəlyanaltı	gah-lyan-al-TUH	Qəlyanaltı sifariş etdik.	We ordered an appetizer.
Basque	sarrera	sah-RREH-rah	Sarrera bat eskatu dugu.	We ordered an appetizer.
Belarusian	закуска	zah-KOOS-kah	Мы замовілі закуску.	We ordered an appetizer.
Bengali	মুখরোচক খাবার	mookh-ro-CHOK kha-bar	আমরা একটি মুখরোচক খাবার অর্ডার করলাম।	We ordered an appetizer.
Bosnian	predjelo	PREHD-yeh-loh	Naručili smo predjelo.	We ordered an appetizer.
Bulgarian	предястие	preh-DYAS-tee-eh	Поръчахме предястие.	We ordered an appetizer.
Catalan	aperitiu	ah-peh-ree-TEE-oo	Hem demanat un aperitiu.	We ordered an appetizer.
Chinese (Mandarin)	开胃菜	kāiwèicài	我们点了开胃菜。	We ordered appetizers.
Croatian	predjelo	PREHD-yeh-loh	Naručili smo predjelo.	We ordered an appetizer.
Czech	předkrm	PREZH-krm	Objednali jsme předkrm.	We ordered an appetizer.
Danish	forret	FOH-ret	Vi bestiller en forret.	We are ordering an appetizer.
Dutch	voorgerecht	VOOR-kheh-rekht	We bestellen een voorgerecht.	We are ordering an appetizer.
Estonian	eelroog	AY-loh-rohk	Me tellisime eelroa.	We ordered an appetizer.
Finnish	alkuruoka	AL-koo-roo-oh-kah	Tilasimme alkuruoan.	We ordered an appetizer.
French	entrée	ahn-TRAY	Nous commandons une entrée.	We are ordering an appetizer.
Georgian	აპეტაიზერი	ah-peh-TIE-zeh-ree	ჩვენ აპეტაიზერი შევუკვეთეთ.	We ordered an appetizer.
German	Vorspeise	FOR-shpy-zeh	Wir bestellen eine Vorspeise.	We are ordering an appetizer.
Greek	ορεκτικό	oh-rek-tee-KOH	Παραγγείλαμε ένα ορεκτικό.	We ordered an appetizer.
Gujarati	ભૂખ વધારનાર નાસ્તો	bhookh vadhar-nar nas-to	અમે નાસ્તો મંગાવ્યો.	We ordered an appetizer.
Haitian Creole	aperitif	ah-peh-ree-TEEF	Nou kòmande yon aperitif.	We ordered an appetizer.
Hebrew	מתאבן	meh-ta-AH-ven	הזמנו מתאבן.	We ordered an appetizer.
Hindi	क्षुधावर्धक	kshoo-dha-VAR-dhak	हमने क्षुधावर्धक मंगाया।	We ordered an appetizer.
Hungarian	előétel	EH-loh-ay-tel	Előételt rendeltünk.	We ordered an appetizer.
Icelandic	forréttur	FOR-ret-tur	Við pöntuðum forrétt.	We ordered an appetizer.
Indonesian	hidangan pembuka	hee-DAH-ngan pem-BOO-kah	Kami memesan hidangan pembuka.	We ordered an appetizer.
Irish	réamhbhia	RAYV-ee-ah	D’ordaíomar réamhbhia.	We ordered an appetizer.
Italian	antipasto	an-tee-PAH-stoh	Abbiamo ordinato un antipasto.	We ordered an appetizer.
Japanese	前菜	zensai	前菜を注文しました。	We ordered an appetizer.
Kannada	ಉಪಾಹಾರ	oo-paa-HAAR-ah	ನಾವು ಉಪಾಹಾರವನ್ನು ಆರ್ಡರ್ ಮಾಡಿದೆವು.	We ordered an appetizer.
Kazakh	тіскебасар	tees-keh-bah-SAR	Біз тіскебасарға тапсырыс бердік.	We ordered an appetizer.
Khmer	ម្ហូបក្លែម	mhoo-op klaem	យើងបានកម្មង់ម្ហូបក្លែម។	We ordered an appetizer.
Korean	전채	jeon-chae	우리는 전채를 주문했어요.	We ordered an appetizer.
Lao	ອາຫານວ່າງ	aa-hahn wahng	ພວກເຮົາສັ່ງອາຫານວ່າງ.	We ordered an appetizer.
Latvian	uzkoda	OOS-koh-dah	Mēs pasūtījām uzkodu.	We ordered an appetizer.
Lithuanian	užkandis	ooz-KAN-dis	Mes užsisakėme užkandį.	We ordered an appetizer.
Macedonian	предјадење	prehd-YAH-deh-nyeh	Нарачавме предјадење.	We ordered an appetizer.
Malay	pembuka selera	pem-BOO-kah seh-LEH-rah	Kami memesan pembuka selera.	We ordered an appetizer.
Malayalam	വിശപ്പകറ്റുന്ന വിഭവം	vi-shap-pa-ka-tun-na vi-BHA-vam	ഞങ്ങൾ ഒരു വിഭവം ഓർഡർ ചെയ്തു.	We ordered an appetizer.
Maltese	appetizer	ap-uh-TIE-zur	Ordna appetizer.	Order an appetizer.
Marathi	क्षुधावर्धक पदार्थ	kshoo-dha-VAR-dhak pa-dar-tha	आम्ही क्षुधावर्धक पदार्थ मागवला.	We ordered an appetizer.
Mongolian	зууш	zoosh	Бид зууш захиалсан.	We ordered an appetizer.
Nepali	खाजा	kha-ja	हामीले खाजा मगायौं।	We ordered an appetizer.
Norwegian	forrett	FOH-ret	Vi bestiller en forrett.	We are ordering an appetizer.
Pashto	اشتها ورکوونکی خواړه	ishtaha war-koon-kay khwa-rah	موږ اشتها ورکوونکی خواړه وغوښتل.	We ordered an appetizer.
Persian	پیش‌غذا	pish-GHAH	ما پیش‌غذا سفارش دادیم.	We ordered an appetizer.
Polish	przystawka	pshi-STAF-kah	Zamówiliśmy przystawkę.	We ordered an appetizer.
Portuguese	aperitivo	ah-peh-ree-TEE-voh	Pedimos um aperitivo.	We ordered an appetizer.
Punjabi	ਭੁੱਖ ਵਧਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਨਾਸ਼ਤਾ	bhukh vadhaun wala nashta	ਅਸੀਂ ਨਾਸ਼ਤਾ ਮੰਗਵਾਇਆ।	We ordered an appetizer.
Romanian	aperitiv	ah-peh-ree-TEEV	Am comandat un aperitiv.	We ordered an appetizer.
Russian	закуска	zah-KOOS-kah	Мы заказали закуску.	We ordered an appetizer.
Serbian	предјело	PREHD-yeh-loh	Naručili smo predjelo.	We ordered an appetizer.
Slovak	predjedlo	PREHD-yehd-loh	Objednali sme predjedlo.	We ordered an appetizer.
Slovenian	predjed	PREHD-yed	Naročili smo predjed.	We ordered an appetizer.
Spanish	aperitivo	ah-peh-ree-TEE-voh	Pedimos un aperitivo.	We ordered an appetizer.
Swahili	kitafunwa	kee-ta-FOON-wah	Tuliagiza kitafunwa.	We ordered an appetizer.
Swedish	förrätt	FUR-ret	Vi beställer en förrätt.	We are ordering an appetizer.
Tamil	முன்பரிமாறும் உணவு	mun-pa-ri-MAA-rum oo-na-voo	நாங்கள் முன்பரிமாறும் உணவை ஆர்டர் செய்தோம்.	We ordered an appetizer.
Telugu	ఆకలి పుట్టించే వంటకం	aa-ka-lee put-TIN-cheh van-ta-kam	మేము ఆకలి పుట్టించే వంటకం ఆర్డర్ చేశాము.	We ordered an appetizer.
Thai	อาหารเรียกน้ำย่อย	aa-hǎan rîak náam yɔ̂i	เราสั่งอาหารเรียกน้ำย่อย	We ordered an appetizer.
Turkish	meze	MEH-zeh	Bir meze sipariş ettik.	We ordered an appetizer.
Ukrainian	закуска	zah-KOOS-kah	Ми замовили закуску.	We ordered an appetizer.
Urdu	اشتہاء انگیز غذا	isht-i-haa an-geiz ghiza	ہم نے اشتہاء انگیز غذا منگوائی۔	We ordered an appetizer.
Uzbek	ishtaha ochuvchi taom	ish-ta-ha och-OO-chee ta-OM	Biz ishtaha ochuvchi taom buyurtma qildik.	We ordered an appetizer.
Vietnamese	món khai vị	mon khai vee	Chúng tôi gọi món khai vị.	We ordered an appetizer.
Welsh	blasyn	BLAS-in	Fe wnaethon ni archebu blasyn.	We ordered an appetizer.
Yiddish	פֿאָרגעריכט	FOR-geh-rikht	מיר האָבן אַ פֿאָרגעריכט באַשטעלט.	We ordered an appetizer.
Zulu	isiqalisi	ee-see-ka-LEE-see	Sa-oda isiqalisi.	We ordered an appetizer.

What Does “Appetizer” Mean?

An appetizer is a small portion of food served before the main course. It is usually intended to stimulate the appetite and introduce the flavours of a meal.

Common examples include:

• Spring rolls
• Bruschetta
• Soup
• Salads
• Stuffed mushrooms
• Small sandwiches
• Dips with bread
• Fried appetisers
• Cheese plates

The exact concept differs between cuisines. Some cultures traditionally serve several small dishes, while others use one starter before the main meal.

How to Say “Appetizer” in Different Languages

If you want to know how to say appetizer in different languages, the translation often depends on the country’s food culture.

For example:

• Spanish: aperitivo
• French: entrée
• German: Vorspeise
• Italian: antipasto
• Portuguese: aperitivo
• Chinese: 开胃菜
• Japanese: 前菜
• Korean: 전채
• Turkish: meze
• Persian: پیش‌غذا
• Russian: закуска

Some of these words have broader meanings than the English word “appetizer.” For example, antipasto traditionally refers to food served before an Italian meal, while meze refers to a selection of small dishes common in several cuisines.

Appetizer in Different Languages Around the World

The word appetizer in different languages around the world reflects the diversity of dining traditions.

In many European languages, the concept is closely connected with the idea of a first course. German uses Vorspeise, literally referring to a dish served before the main food. French uses entrée, while Italian uses antipasto.

In other regions, the closest term may describe a snack or small dish rather than a formal first course.

This is why direct translations can vary depending on the culinary context.

Appetizer vs Starter

The words appetizer and starter are often used for the same type of dish.

In American English, appetizer is very common. In British English, starter is often preferred.

For example:

American English:
“We ordered an appetizer before dinner.”

British English:
“We ordered a starter before dinner.”

Both refer to food served before the main course.

Appetizer vs Hors d’Oeuvre

An appetizer and an hors d’oeuvre can be similar, but they are not always identical.

An appetizer is generally part of a meal and comes before the main course. Hors d’oeuvres are often small individual bites that may be served at parties, receptions, or before a meal.

Examples of hors d’oeuvres include small canapés, stuffed vegetables, cheese bites, and other finger foods.

Popular Appetizers Around the World

Different cultures have their own popular foods that may be served as appetizers or starters.

Italian cuisine is known for antipasti, while Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines feature mezze. Japanese meals may begin with small seasonal dishes, and many South Asian meals include snacks or small savoury foods before or alongside the main dishes.

This variety makes appetizer vocabulary particularly interesting for language learners and food lovers.

Why Learn Appetizer in Different Languages?

Learning food vocabulary is useful when travelling, ordering at restaurants, studying another language, or discussing international cuisine.

Knowing how to recognise the local word for appetizer can make menus easier to understand.

It can also help you discover how different cultures organise meals and describe food.

Appetizer Translations: Quick Reference

Here are some of the most useful translations to remember:

• English: appetizer
• French: entrée
• Spanish: aperitivo
• Italian: antipasto
• German: Vorspeise
• Dutch: voorgerecht
• Portuguese: aperitivo
• Chinese: 开胃菜
• Japanese: 前菜
• Korean: 전채
• Arabic: مقبلات
• Hindi: क्षुधावर्धक
• Turkish: meze
• Persian: پیش‌غذا
• Russian: закуска

These words can help you recognise appetizer-related vocabulary when reading international menus.

Conclusion

The word appetizer has many different translations around the world, and the closest term can depend on local cuisine and dining traditions. From antipasto in Italian to Vorspeise in German and 前菜 in Japanese, each language offers its own way to describe food served before the main course.

This guide provides exactly 70 appetizer in different languages translations, making it a useful reference for travellers, food lovers, language learners, and anyone interested in international cuisine.

FAQs

1. How do you say “appetizer” in different languages?
“Appetizer” has different translations depending on the language. Some common examples are aperitivo in Spanish and Portuguese, antipasto in Italian, Vorspeise in German, entrée in French, and 前菜 in Japanese.

2. What is “appetizer” in languages?
There are many words for appetizer because different cultures use different terms for small dishes served before a main course. This article provides exactly translations with pronunciations and example sentences.

3. What is the difference between an appetizer and a starter?
They generally refer to the same part of a meal. Appetizer is especially common in American English, while starter is more common in British English.

4. How do you say “appetizer” in Spanish, French, and Italian?
In Spanish, a common term is aperitivo. In French, entrée is commonly used for a first course. In Italian, antipasto refers to food traditionally served before the main course.

5. What are appetizers called in different cultures?
Different cultures use different terms and food traditions. Italian cuisine uses antipasti, Turkish and neighbouring cuisines commonly use meze, Japanese cuisine uses terms such as 前菜, and German uses Vorspeise for a first course.