Asking someone if they’ve eaten is a fundamental expression of care and concern in many cultures, and Korean is no exception. Understanding the nuances of how to ask “Have you eaten?” in Korean goes beyond simple translation; it involves grasping the cultural significance and the various levels of formality that dictate language use.
This article will delve into the different ways to ask this question, providing a comprehensive guide for learners of all levels who wish to express their care and build meaningful connections with Korean speakers. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and practice to confidently navigate this essential Korean phrase.
By mastering these expressions, you’ll be able to engage more authentically in Korean conversations and demonstrate your understanding of Korean culture.
This guide is beneficial for anyone learning Korean, from absolute beginners to advanced students. It’s particularly useful for those interested in Korean culture, as it highlights the importance of asking about someone’s well-being through food.
By understanding the different ways to ask “Have you eaten?”, you’ll be able to communicate more effectively and build stronger relationships with Korean speakers.
Table of Contents
- Definition and Cultural Significance
- Structural Breakdown of 밥 먹었어요?
- Formal Expressions
- Standard Expressions
- Informal Expressions
- Examples of Use
- Usage Rules and Considerations
- Common Mistakes and Corrections
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics: Nuances and Context
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition and Cultural Significance
The phrase “Have you eaten?” in Korean is more than a simple inquiry about whether someone has consumed food. It’s a deeply ingrained expression of care, concern, and social connection.
In Korean culture, sharing food is a central part of building relationships and showing affection. Asking “Have you eaten?” is a way of demonstrating that you care about the other person’s well-being and are concerned for their basic needs.
This question often implies an offer to share a meal or provide food if the person hasn’t eaten.
The most common way to ask “Have you eaten?” in Korean is 밥 먹었어요? (Bap meogeosseoyo?). This phrase is suitable for most situations, although the level of formality can be adjusted depending on the relationship between the speakers. The word 밥 (bap) refers to cooked rice or a meal in general, and 먹었어요? (meogeosseoyo?) is the past tense form of the verb “to eat” (먹다, meokda) in the polite form. Understanding the cultural weight behind this simple question can significantly enhance your interactions with Korean speakers.
Structural Breakdown of 밥 먹었어요?
To fully understand and utilize the phrase 밥 먹었어요?, it’s essential to break down its components and understand their individual meanings and functions. This will not only help you remember the phrase but also enable you to construct similar sentences and variations.
밥 (Bap) – Rice/Meal
The word 밥 (bap) literally means “cooked rice.” However, in Korean, it often refers to a meal in general. Rice is a staple food in Korean cuisine, and the word has become synonymous with the concept of eating or having a meal. Therefore, when you ask “밥 먹었어요?”, you’re essentially asking “Have you had a meal?”.
먹었어요? (Meogeosseoyo?) – Have you eaten?
먹었어요? (meogeosseoyo?) is the past tense interrogative form of the verb 먹다 (meokda), which means “to eat.” The ending -었어요? (-eosseoyo?) is a polite question ending used to inquire about past actions. It’s crucial to understand how this verb ending functions to create similar questions in Korean.
The verb 먹다 (meokda) is conjugated as follows:
- 먹다 (meokda) – to eat (infinitive form)
- 먹어요 (meogeoyo) – eats/eat (present tense, polite form)
- 먹었어요 (meogeosseoyo) – ate/have eaten (past tense, polite form)
- 먹을 거예요 (meogeul geoyeyo) – will eat (future tense, polite form)
Formal Expressions
In formal situations, such as speaking to elders, superiors, or strangers, it’s important to use honorific language. While 밥 먹었어요? is generally polite, there are more formal ways to inquire about someone’s meal.
식사하셨습니까? (Siksa hasyeotseumnikka?)
식사하셨습니까? (Siksa hasyeotseumnikka?) is the most formal way to ask “Have you eaten?”. 식사 (Siksa) means “meal” and 하셨습니까? (hasyeotseumnikka?) is the honorific past tense interrogative form of the verb “to do” (하다, hada). This phrase is suitable for very formal settings.
Breakdown:
- 식사 (Siksa) – Meal
- 하시다 (Hasida) – To do (honorific form of 하다)
- -셨습니까? (-syeotseumnikka?) – Honorific past tense interrogative ending
진지 잡수셨습니까? (Jinji japsusyeotseumnikka?)
진지 잡수셨습니까? (Jinji japsusyeotseumnikka?) is another highly formal way to ask “Have you eaten?”. 진지 (Jinji) is an honorific word for “meal,” and 잡수셨습니까? (japsusyeotseumnikka?) is the honorific form of “to eat.” This phrase is typically used when addressing someone of very high status or showing extreme respect.
Breakdown:
- 진지 (Jinji) – Meal (honorific)
- 잡수시다 (Japsusida) – To eat (honorific)
- -셨습니까? (-syeotseumnikka?) – Honorific past tense interrogative ending
Standard Expressions
Standard expressions are suitable for most everyday situations, such as talking to acquaintances, colleagues, or people you meet for the first time. These expressions are polite but not overly formal.
밥 먹었어요? (Bap meogeosseoyo?)
As mentioned earlier, 밥 먹었어요? (Bap meogeosseoyo?) is the most common and versatile way to ask “Have you eaten?”. It’s polite enough for most situations and easily understood.
식사 하셨어요? (Siksa hasyeosseoyo?)
식사 하셨어요? (Siksa hasyeosseoyo?) is a slightly more formal version of 밥 먹었어요?, using the word 식사 (Siksa) for “meal.” It’s a good choice when you want to be polite but not overly stiff.
Informal Expressions
Informal expressions are used with close friends, family members, or people younger than you. Using formal or standard expressions in these situations can sound awkward or overly formal.
밥 먹었어? (Bap meogeosseo?)
밥 먹었어? (Bap meogeosseo?) is the informal version of 밥 먹었어요?. The ending -었어? (-eosseo?) is the informal past tense interrogative ending. This is appropriate for close friends and family.
밥은? (Babeun?)
밥은? (Babeun?) is an even more casual way to ask “Have you eaten?”. The particle 은 (eun) indicates the topic of the conversation is “밥” (bap). This is very informal and should only be used with those you are very close to.
먹었어? (Meogeosseo?)
먹었어? (Meogeosseo?) is the shortest and most informal way to ask “Have you eaten?”. It simply means “Ate?”. This is extremely casual and should only be used with your closest friends or family.
Examples of Use
To better understand how these phrases are used in context, here are several examples categorized by formality level.
Formal Examples
The following table contains example sentences using formal expressions, demonstrating appropriate contexts and responses.
| Situation | Question | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Addressing a CEO | 사장님, 식사하셨습니까? (Sajangnim, Siksa hasyeotseumnikka?) | 네, 했습니다. 감사합니다. (Ne, haetsseumnida. Gamsahamnida.) |
| Speaking to a professor | 교수님, 진지 잡수셨습니까? (Gyosunim, Jinji japsusyeotseumnikka?) | 아니요, 아직 안 먹었습니다. (Aniyo, ajik an meogeotseumnida.) |
| Greeting an elderly neighbor | 할아버지, 식사하셨습니까? (Harabeoji, Siksa hasyeotseumnikka?) | 예, 먹었습니다. 걱정해 주셔서 감사합니다. (Ye, meogeotseumnida. Geokjeonghae jusyeoseo gamsahamnida.) |
| Addressing a client | 고객님, 식사하셨습니까? (Gogaeknim, Siksa hasyeotseumnikka?) | 네, 잘 먹었습니다. (Ne, jal meogeotseumnida.) |
| To a senior colleague (very respectful) | 부장님, 진지 잡수셨습니까? (Bujangnim, Jinji japsusyeotseumnikka?) | 그래, 먹었다. (Geurae, meogeotta.) |
| To your boss when meeting in the morning | 사장님, 식사하셨습니까? (Sajangnim, Siksa hasyeotseumnikka?) | 어, 먹었어. 자네는? (Eo, meogeosseo. Jane-neun?) |
| Asking a director at a company | 이사님, 식사하셨습니까? (Isanim, Siksa hasyeotseumnikka?) | 응, 먹었네. (Eung, meogeonne.) |
| A student asking their professor | 교수님, 식사하셨습니까? (Gyosunim, Siksa hasyeotseumnikka?) | 그래, 먹었다. 학생은? (Geurae, meogeotta. Haksaengeun?) |
| Asking a general in the military | 장군님, 식사하셨습니까? (Janggunnim, Siksa hasyeotseumnikka?) | 아직이다. (Ajikida.) |
| Asking the Prime Minister | 총리님, 식사하셨습니까? (Chongrinim, Siksa hasyeotseumnikka?) | 네, 했습니다. (Ne, haetsseumnida.) |
| Asking the President of a company | 회장님, 식사하셨습니까? (Hoejangnim, Siksa hasyeotseumnikka?) | 응, 먹었다. (Eung, meogeotta.) |
| Asking an elderly grandparent | 할아버지, 진지 잡수셨습니까? (Harabeoji, Jinji japsusyeotseumnikka?) | 그래, 먹었다. (Geurae, meogeotta.) |
| Asking a high-ranking government official | 장관님, 식사하셨습니까? (Janggwannim, Siksa hasyeotseumnikka?) | 네, 했습니다. (Ne, haetsseumnida.) |
| Asking a judge | 판사님, 식사하셨습니까? (Pansanim, Siksa hasyeotseumnikka?) | 응, 먹었어. (Eung, meogeosseo.) |
| Asking a doctor | 의사 선생님, 식사하셨습니까? (Uisa seonsaengnim, Siksa hasyeotseumnikka?) | 네, 했습니다. 감사합니다. (Ne, haetsseumnida. Gamsahamnida.) |
| Speaking to a monk | 스님, 진지 잡수셨습니까? (Seunim, Jinji japsusyeotseumnikka?) | 예, 먹었습니다. (Ye, meogeotseumnida.) |
| Asking a famous writer | 작가님, 식사하셨습니까? (Jakganim, Siksa hasyeotseumnikka?) | 네, 했습니다. (Ne, haetsseumnida.) |
| Asking a famous musician | 음악가님, 식사하셨습니까? (Eumakganim, Siksa hasyeotseumnikka?) | 응, 먹었어. (Eung, meogeosseo.) |
| Asking a celebrity | 연예인님, 식사하셨습니까? (Yeonyeinnim, Siksa hasyeotseumnikka?) | 네, 했습니다. (Ne, haetsseumnida.) |
| Asking a very important guest | 귀빈님, 식사하셨습니까? (Gwibinnim, Siksa hasyeotseumnikka?) | 네, 했습니다. 감사합니다. (Ne, haetsseumnida. Gamsahamnida.) |
Standard Examples
The following table illustrates the use of standard expressions in common scenarios, along with appropriate replies.
| Situation | Question | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting a colleague at work | 김 선생님, 밥 먹었어요? (Kim seonsaengnim, Bap meogeosseoyo?) | 네, 먹었어요. 이 선생님은요? (Ne, meogeosseoyo. Lee seonsaengnimeunyo?) |
| Talking to a new acquaintance | 식사 하셨어요? (Siksa hasyeosseoyo?) | 아직 안 먹었어요. 같이 드실래요? (Ajik an meogeosseoyo. Gachi deusillaeyo?) |
| Asking a classmate | 밥 먹었어요? (Bap meogeosseoyo?) | 응, 먹었어. 너는? (Eung, meogeosseo. Neoneun?) |
| Meeting a neighbor | 저기요, 식사 하셨어요? (Jeogiyo, Siksa hasyeosseoyo?) | 네, 방금 먹었어요. (Ne, banggeum meogeosseoyo.) |
| To a store clerk | 저기, 밥 먹었어요? (Jeogi, Bap meogeosseoyo?) | 네, 먹었어요. (Ne, meogeosseoyo.) |
| Talking to a delivery person | 배달원님, 식사 하셨어요? (Baedalwonnim, Siksa hasyeosseoyo?) | 네, 먹었습니다. 감사합니다. (Ne, meogeotseumnida. Gamsahamnida.) |
| Asking a coworker | 박 대리님, 밥 먹었어요? (Bak daerinnim, Bap meogeosseoyo?) | 네, 먹었어요. 김 씨는요? (Ne, meogeosseoyo. Kim ssineunyo?) |
| Checking on a friend | 식사 하셨어요? (Siksa hasyeosseoyo?) | 아니요, 아직 못 먹었어요. (Aniyo, ajik mot meogeosseoyo.) |
| At a company meeting | 여러분, 식사 하셨어요? (Yeoreobun, Siksa hasyeosseoyo?) | 네, 했습니다. (Ne, haetsseumnida.) |
| Asking a visitor to your home | 손님, 식사 하셨어요? (Sonnim, Siksa hasyeosseoyo?) | 네, 먹었습니다. 감사합니다. (Ne, meogeotseumnida. Gamsahamnida.) |
| To a new employee | 신입 씨, 밥 먹었어요? (Sinip ssi, Bap meogeosseoyo?) | 네, 먹었습니다. (Ne, meogeotseumnida.) |
| Asking a teacher | 선생님, 밥 먹었어요? (Seonsaengnim, Bap meogeosseoyo?) | 응, 먹었어. (Eung, meogeosseo.) |
| Asking a taxi driver | 기사님, 식사 하셨어요? (Gisanim, Siksa hasyeosseoyo?) | 네, 먹었습니다. (Ne, meogeotseumnida.) |
| Asking a librarian | 사서님, 밥 먹었어요? (Saseonim, Bap meogeosseoyo?) | 네, 먹었어요. (Ne, meogeosseoyo.) |
| Asking a nurse | 간호사님, 식사 하셨어요? (Ganhosanim, Siksa hasyeosseoyo?) | 네, 했습니다. (Ne, haetsseumnida.) |
| To a security guard | 경비원님, 밥 먹었어요? (Gyeongbiwonnim, Bap meogeosseoyo?) | 네, 먹었습니다. (Ne, meogeotseumnida.) |
| Asking a pharmacist | 약사님, 식사 하셨어요? (Yaksanim, Siksa hasyeosseoyo?) | 네, 했습니다. (Ne, haetsseumnida.) |
| To a dentist | 치과 의사 선생님, 밥 먹었어요? (Chigwa uisa seonsaengnim, Bap meogeosseoyo?) | 네, 먹었어요. (Ne, meogeosseoyo.) |
| Asking a police officer | 경찰관님, 식사 하셨어요? (Gyeongchalgwannim, Siksa hasyeosseoyo?) | 네, 했습니다. (Ne, haetsseumnida.) |
| Asking a firefighter | 소방관님, 밥 먹었어요? (Sobanggwannim, Bap meogeosseoyo?) | 네, 먹었습니다. (Ne, meogeotseumnida.) |
Informal Examples
This table showcases informal expressions used between close friends and family members, along with suitable responses.
| Situation | Question | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Talking to a close friend | 야, 밥 먹었어? (Ya, Bap meogeosseo?) | 응, 먹었어. 너는? (Eung, meogeosseo. Neoneun?) |
| Asking a younger sibling | 밥 먹었어? (Bap meogeosseo?) | 아니, 아직. 배고파. (Ani, ajik. Baegopa.) |
| Texting a friend | 밥은? (Babeun?) | 아직 안 먹었어. (Ajik an meogeosseo.) |
| To your best friend | 먹었어? (Meogeosseo?) | 응! (Eung!) |
| Asking your child | 애야, 밥 먹었어? (Aeya, bap meogeosseo?) | 네, 먹었어요. (Ne, meogeosseoyo.) |
| To a close family member | 밥 먹었어? (Bap meogeosseo?) | 응, 먹었다. (Eung, meogeotta.) |
| Asking a roommate | 밥 먹었어? (Bap meogeosseo?) | 아니, 아직. 같이 먹을래? (Ani, ajik. Gachi meogeullae?) |
| Asking a girlfriend/boyfriend | 자기야, 밥 먹었어? (Jagiya, Bap meogeosseo?) | 응, 먹었어. 너는? (Eung, meogeosseo. Neoneun?) |
| Talking to your younger cousin | 밥 먹었어? (Bap meogeosseo?) | 응, 먹었어! (Eung, meogeosseo!) |
| Asking a close colleague (informal setting) | 밥 먹었어? (Bap meogeosseo?) | 응, 먹었지. (Eung, meogeotji.) |
| To a younger sibling | 밥은? (Babeun?) | 아직 안 먹었어. (Ajik an meogeosseo.) |
| Asking your child | 밥 먹었어? (Bap meogeosseo?) | 네, 먹었어요. (Ne, meogeosseoyo.) |
| To a close family member | 밥 먹었어? (Bap meogeosseo?) | 응, 먹었다. (Eung, meogeotta.) |
| Asking a roommate | 밥 먹었어? (Bap meogeosseo?) | 아니, 아직. 같이 먹을래? (Ani, ajik. Gachi meogeullae?) |
| Asking a girlfriend/boyfriend | 자기야, 밥 먹었어? (Jagiya, Bap meogeosseo?) | 응, 먹었어. 너는? (Eung, meogeosseo. Neoneun?) |
| Talking to your younger cousin | 밥 먹었어? (Bap meogeosseo?) | 응, 먹었어! (Eung, meogeosseo!) |
| Asking a close colleague (informal setting) | 밥 먹었어? (Bap meogeosseo?) | 응, 먹었지. (Eung, meogeotji.) |
| To a childhood friend | 야, 밥 먹었냐? (Ya, bap meogeonnya?) | 응, 먹었다! (Eung, meogeotta!) |
| Asking a close friend | 밥 먹었냐? (Bap meogeonnya?) | 아니, 아직 안 먹었어. (Ani, ajik an meogeosseo.) |
| To a family member | 밥은 먹었냐? (Babeun meogeonnya?) | 응, 먹었지. (Eung, meogeotji.) |
Usage Rules and Considerations
When using these phrases, it’s important to consider the following rules and nuances:
- Formality: Always choose the appropriate level of formality based on your relationship with the person you’re speaking to.
- Context: The context of the conversation can also influence your choice of words. For example, if you’re in a very formal setting, even with someone you know well, you might opt for a more formal expression.
- Timing: It’s common to ask “Have you eaten?” around meal times (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
- Offer: Be prepared to offer food or a meal if the person hasn’t eaten. This is a common gesture of kindness.
Common Mistakes and Corrections
Here are some common mistakes that learners make when asking “Have you eaten?” and how to correct them:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 밥 먹어? (Bap meogeo?) | 밥 먹었어? (Bap meogeosseo?) | 밥 먹어? is present tense and asks “Do you eat?”. You need the past tense 먹었어? to ask “Have you eaten?”. |
| 식사 했어? (Siksa haesseo?) | 식사 하셨어요? (Siksa hasyeosseoyo?) | While 식사 했어? is grammatically correct, it’s too informal for most situations. Use 식사 하셨어요? for politeness. |
| 밥 먹습니까? (Bap meokseumnikka?) | 식사하셨습니까? (Siksa hasyeotseumnikka?) | 밥 먹습니까? is grammatically correct but sounds unnatural. Use 식사하셨습니까? for a more natural and formal expression. |
| 먹었습니까? (Meogeotseumnikka?) | 식사하셨습니까? (Siksa hasyeotseumnikka?) | While not incorrect, it’s better to include the word “meal” (식사) for clarity and politeness in formal settings. |
| 진지 먹었어요? (Jinji meogeosseoyo?) | 진지 잡수셨습니까? (Jinji japsusyeotseumnikka?) | 진지 is an honorific word, so it should be paired with an honorific verb like 잡수시다. |
| 밥 있다? (Bap itda?) | 밥 먹었어요? (Bap meogeosseoyo?) | 밥 있다? means “Is there rice?”. It does not mean “Have you eaten?”. |
| 식사 먹었어요? (Siksa meogeosseoyo?) | 식사 하셨어요? (Siksa hasyeosseoyo?) | You don’t “eat” a meal (식사) in Korean, you “do” a meal (식사 하다). |
| 밥 했어요? (Bap haesseoyo?) | 밥 먹었어요? (Bap meogeosseoyo?) | 밥 했어요? means “Did you cook rice?”. It does not mean “Have you eaten?”. |
| 먹을래? (Meogeullae?) | 밥 먹었어? (Bap meogeosseo?) | 먹을래? means “Do you want to eat?”. It does not mean “Have you eaten?”. |
| 밥 줄까? (Bap julkka?) | 밥 먹었어요? (Bap meogeosseoyo?) | 밥 줄까? means “Should I give you rice?”. It does not mean “Have you eaten?”. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Choose the appropriate expression for each situation.
Exercise 1: Choosing the Correct Formality
Select the most appropriate way to ask “Have you eaten?” in each scenario.
| # | Situation | Options | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Talking to your best friend | a) 식사하셨습니까? b) 밥 먹었어요? c) 밥 먹었어? | c) 밥 먹었어? |
| 2 | Addressing your professor | a) 밥 먹었어? b) 식사 하셨어요? c) 진지 잡수셨습니까? | c) 진지 잡수셨습니까? |
| 3 | Greeting a new colleague | a) 먹었어? b) 밥 먹었어요? c) 밥은? | b) 밥 먹었어요? |
| 4 | Asking your younger sibling | a) 식사하셨습니까? b) 밥 먹었어요? c) 밥 먹었어? | c) 밥 먹었어? |
| 5 | Talking to your CEO | a) 밥 먹었어요? b) 식사 하셨어요? c) 식사하셨습니까? | c) 식사하셨습니까? |
| 6 | To a close family member | a) 식사 하셨어요? b) 밥 먹었어? c) 진지 잡수셨습니까? | b) 밥 먹었어? |
| 7 | To the prime minister | a) 밥 먹었어요? b) 식사 하셨어요? c) 식사하셨습니까? | c) 식사하셨습니까? |
| 8 | Asking a police officer | a) 밥 먹었어? b) 식사 하셨어요? c) 식사하셨습니까? | c) 식사하셨습니까? |
| 9 | Asking a delivery driver | a) 밥 먹었어? b) 식사 하셨어요? c) 식사하셨습니까? | b) 식사 하셨어요? |
| 10 | Asking a librarian | a) 밥 먹었어? b) 식사 하셨어요? c) 식사하셨습니까? | b) 식사 하셨어요? |
Exercise 2: Translation Practice
Translate the following sentences into Korean, choosing the appropriate level of formality.
| # | English | Korean |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Have you eaten? (to a friend) | 밥 먹었어? |
| 2 | Have you eaten? (to your boss) | 식사하셨습니까? |
| 3 | Have you eaten? (to a classmate) | 밥 먹었어요? |
| 4 | Have you eaten? (very informal) | 먹었어? |
| 5 | Have you eaten? (to an elderly person) | 식사하셨습니까? |
| 6 | Have you eaten? (to a stranger) | 식사 하셨어요? |
| 7 | Have you eaten? (to a younger sibling) | 밥 먹었어? |
| 8 | Have you eaten? (to a teacher) | 식사 하셨어요? |
| 9 | Have you eaten? (to a CEO) | 식사하셨습니까? |
| 10 | Have you eaten? (to a close colleague) | 밥 먹었어요? / 밥 먹었어? (depending on closeness) |
Advanced Topics: Nuances and Context
Beyond the basic phrases, understanding the nuances and context can further enhance your ability to communicate effectively. In some situations, instead of directly asking “Have you eaten?”, Koreans might use indirect expressions.
배고프지 않으세요? (Baegopeuji aneuseyo?)
배고프지 않으세요? (Baegopeuji aneuseyo?) translates to “Aren’t you hungry?”. This is a polite way of hinting that it might be time to eat and inviting the person to join you.
점심시간인데, 밥 같이 드실래요? (Jeomsimsiganinde, bap gachi deusillaeyo?)
점심시간인데, 밥 같이 드실래요? (Jeomsimsiganinde, bap gachi deusillaeyo?) means “It’s lunchtime, would you like to eat together?”. This is a direct invitation to share a meal.
뭐 좀 드셨어요? (Mwo jom deusyeosseoyo?)
뭐 좀 드셨어요? (Mwo jom deusyeosseoyo?) means “Have you
eaten something?”. This is a general inquiry about whether the person has had anything to eat, not necessarily a full meal.
Understanding these subtle variations can help you navigate social interactions more smoothly and demonstrate a deeper understanding of Korean culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it rude to ask “Have you eaten?” in Korean?
No, it is not rude at all. In fact, it is considered a polite and caring question.
However, it’s important to use the appropriate level of formality based on your relationship with the person you’re speaking to.
What if someone asks me “Have you eaten?” and I haven’t?
You can simply say “아니요, 아직 안 먹었어요.” (Aniyo, ajik an meogeosseoyo.) which means “No, I haven’t eaten yet.” Be prepared for them to offer you food or invite you to eat with them.
Can I use “밥 먹었어요?” with anyone?
While “밥 먹었어요?” is generally polite, it’s best to use it with people you’re familiar with or those who are of similar age or status. Use more formal expressions like “식사하셨습니까?” with elders, superiors, or strangers.
What does it mean when a Korean person asks “밥 먹자”?
“밥 먹자” (Bap meokja) means “Let’s eat!”. It’s an invitation to share a meal together.
Is there a difference between “아침 먹었어요?” and “점심 먹었어요?”?
Yes, “아침 먹었어요?” (Achim meogeosseoyo?) means “Have you eaten breakfast?” and “점심 먹었어요?” (Jeomsim meogeosseoyo?) means “Have you eaten lunch?”. You can replace 아침 and 점심 with other meal times as appropriate.
How do I respond if someone asks me if I’ve eaten, and I’m not hungry?
You can say “네, 먹었어요. 감사합니다.” (Ne, meogeosseoyo. Gamsahamnida.), which means “Yes, I have eaten.
Thank you.” Even if you are not hungry, it’s polite to acknowledge their concern.
Is it okay to ask “밥 먹었어?” to someone older than me if we are close?
If you are very close and have a comfortable, informal relationship, it can be acceptable. However, it’s generally safer to use “밥 먹었어요?” unless you’re certain they won’t mind the informality.
What if I want to ask what they ate?
You can ask “뭐 먹었어요?” (Mwo meogeosseoyo?) which means “What did you eat?”
Is asking about meals as common in Korea as it used to be?
While still common, especially among older generations, younger Koreans might use other greetings as well. However, asking about meals remains a significant cultural expression of care.
How would I say “Let’s eat together if you haven’t eaten”?
You could say “아직 안 드셨으면 같이 드실래요?” (Ajik an deusyeosseumyeon gachi deusillaeyo?), which means “If you haven’t eaten yet, would you like to eat together?”
Is it impolite to refuse if someone offers to buy me food after asking if I’ve eaten?
It’s not necessarily impolite, but it’s important to refuse politely. You can say “괜찮습니다, 감사합니다.” (Gwaenchanhseumnida, gamsahamnida.) which means “It’s okay, thank you.” If they insist, you might offer to treat them next time or suggest doing something else together.
Can I use these phrases in North Korea?
Yes, the basic expressions are generally understood in North Korea. However, there might be slight differences in pronunciation or preferred expressions.
“식사하셨습니까?” would be universally polite.
Conclusion
Asking “Have you eaten?” in Korean is more than just a question; it’s a cultural expression of care and concern. By understanding the different levels of formality and the nuances of these phrases, you can communicate more effectively and build stronger relationships with Korean speakers.
Whether you’re using formal expressions with elders or informal phrases with close friends, mastering these essential Korean phrases will enhance your interactions and demonstrate your appreciation for Korean culture. So, go ahead and confidently ask “밥 먹었어요?” and show your care the Korean way!