저녁 준비됐어
jeonyeok junbidaesseo
In Korean, "dinner is ready" is expressed as 저녁 준비됐어 (jeonyeok junbidaesseo).
This phrase is used to inform others that the evening meal has been prepared and is ready to be eaten. While 저녁 준비됐어 describes the state of the meal, Koreans frequently use the more direct 밥 먹자 (let's eat) to call people to the table.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 저녁 (evening/dinner) and 준비됐어 (is prepared/is ready).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To make the phrase polite and suitable for speaking to elders or people you are not close with, you can use 저녁 준비됐어요 by adding the suffix –요. For more formal situations, 저녁 식사가 준비되었습니다 is a polite and formal way to inform others that dinner is ready. If you are speaking to someone of higher status, you can also use the polite and humble form 저녁 식사가 차려졌습니다. Among friends and family, you may also hear the informal 저녁 식사 준비 끝났어.
How do you pronounce it?
jeonyeok junbidaesseo
Did you know?
- In Korea, asking 밥 먹었어? (did you eat?) is often used as a friendly greeting similar to 'how are you?' rather than a literal question about a person's hunger.
- In traditional Korean dining, it is considered impolite to start eating after the eldest person at the table has picked up their utensils, even if you were the one who said 'dinner is ready'.
- The word 저녁 (dinner) is etymologically linked to the concept of it 'getting dark'. It is believed to be a combination of a root meaning 'to get dark' and the suffix 녘, which refers to a specific direction or time of day.
Examples in context
- 저녁 준비됐어.jeonyeok junbidwaesseo.Dinner is ready.
- 어서 와, 저녁 준비됐어.eoseo wa, jeonyeok junbidwaesseo.Come quickly, dinner is ready.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo calls Subin from the kitchen to the dining table.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈아, 저녁 준비됐어.Subin-a, jeonyeok junbidwaesseo.Subin, dinner is ready.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말? 지금 갈게!jeongmal? jigeum galge!Really? I'm coming now!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo맛있는 거 많이 했어.masinneun geo mani haesseo.I made a lot of delicious food.
- 수빈 Su-bin고마워, 현우야!gomawo, Hyunwoo-ya!Thanks, Hyunwoo!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 저녁, CC BY-SA 4.0.
