먹었다
meogeotda
The English phrase "ate" is translated into Korean as 먹었다 (meogeotda).
The past tense of eat, used to describe the action of consuming food.
Which one should you use?
The word 먹었다 is the plain/informal past tense of the verb 먹다 (to eat). Depending on the social context, you may use different forms such as the formal/polite 먹었습니다 or the casual/intimate 먹었어.
How do you pronounce it?
meogeotda
When do people say it?
Koreans often use 'bap' (rice) to refer to a complete meal in general.
Did you know?
- In Korean, you might say someone 'ate' something like a lie or a heart, using the verb 먹다 metaphorically. For example, 마음을 먹다 translates literally to 'to eat one's mind' but means 'to make up one's determination'.
- The verb 먹다 is used to describe taking medicine, meaning you 'eat' your pills instead of taking them.
- Korean has a specific 'honorific' version of this verb, 드셨다, which must be used when the person who ate is of higher social status.
Examples in context
- 나는 케이크 세 조각을 먹었다.I ate three pieces of cake.This sentence is useful for describing eating cake with the form 먹었다.Tatoeba #11106679 by intertime, translation #841835 by CM
- 우리는 계란을 먹었다.We ate eggs.This sentence is useful for describing eating eggs with the form 먹었다.Tatoeba #10603126 by ssuss32, translation #2293029 by xx22yy
- 나는 비타민C 섭취를 위해 신선한 레몬을 먹었다.I ate a fresh lemon for the vitamin C.This sentence is useful for describing eating a lemon with the form 먹었다.Tatoeba #2885814 by cueyayotl, translation #34776 by CK
- 저는 밥을 먹었습니다.I ate rice
- 식사를 했습니다.I had a meal
- 나는 오늘 밥을 먹었다.I ate rice today
- 어제 뭐 먹었어?What did you eat yesterday?
- 오늘 식사는 하셨어요?Did you have a meal today?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their lunch.
- 지은 Ji-eun민준 씨, 점심 먹었어?Minjun ssi, jeomsim meogeosseo?Minjun, did you eat lunch?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 저는 비빔밥을 먹었다.Ne, jeoneun bibimbabeul meogeotda.Yes, I ate bibimbap.
- 지은 Ji-eun맛있었나요?Masisseonnayo?Was it delicious?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 정말 맛있게 먹었다.Ne, jeongmal masitge meogeotda.Yes, I really enjoyed eating it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
